CLERMONT, Fla. – Simmons softball (0-1) opened the 2022 season dropping a nail-biter to regional foe Husson University, on Sunday afternoon. Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego was efficient in the circle, striking out seven Eagles on 89 pitches – 62 for strikes.

The Sharks got to Eagle starting pitcher McKenna Smith in the top of the second inning. Senior backstop Shannon McMahon and Castigliego worked back-to-back walks to begin the inning. A batter later, Smith walked sophomore Jordyn Rubin to load the bases with just one out. However, the Eagles starter was able to get out the inning unscathed with back-to-back strikeouts.

In the home half of the frame, Castigliego got out of a jam of her own. She shook off a lead-off double to left center and left a pair of Eagle runners in scoring position, fanning Olivia McCar and Teagan Black to minimize the damage and keep the ballgame scoreless.

Junior Kylie Collins registered the first hit for the season for the sharks, rocketing a line drive double down the left field line. But the Sharks were unable to bring her around. 

Simmons had a plethora of opportunities to score. In the top of the sixth, senior Alex Morang laced a single down the left field line. Following back-to-back strikeouts, senior Emily Barbella pulled a two-out double down the line, sending Morang to third, and giving the Sharks runners in scoring position. However, Smith was able to get Collins to pop back to her for the final out of the frame.

Husson took advantage of Simmons miscues in the bottom of the seventh to break up the stalemate and push across the game's first run on a fielder's choice. The Sharks had a chance to tie up the game in the seventh. McMahon ripped a two-out double into left center to bring Castigliego to plate in in search for some two-out magic. But, Eagles had other ideas and sat the Sharks right-hander down on strikes.  

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Senior Maddie Castigliego faced 28 batters and registered seven strikeouts, while allowing just one unearned run on 89 pitches.
• Sophomore Kylie Collins recorded the first hit of the season, with laser double down the left field line.
• Senior backstop Shannon McMahon went two for three at the plate with a double.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond tomorrow morning against regional foes Bridgewater state (9 a.m.) and Johnson & Wales (11:15 a.m.) at Legends Way.