WENHAM, Mass. – Simmons softball returned north to split Friday afternoon's double-header against non-conference Gordon College. The Sharks won the first game, decisively, 9-2, before game two ended in a 4-4 tie.

GAME 1: Simmons 9, Gordon 2
The Sharks bats came out firing, putting up a crooked number three in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of early miscues by the Fighting Scots. Senior Allie Mulhern reached first on an error then advanced 60 feet on a base-hit up middle off the bat of senior Christie Bott. After swiping third, Mulhern scored the first run of the game on ground out.

Moments later, senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego helped her own cause ripping an opposite field double into the right-centerfield gap to bring home Bott. The Sharks were not done yet. Two batters later, sophomore Jordyn Rubin roped another opposite field double into left field to bring home Castigliego for the third Simmons run. 

Before stepping into the circle, Castigliego had a 3-0 lead to work with. The Fighting Scots were able to get two of the runs back following a two-run double in the home half of the inning, but Castigliego settled down and retired the next two batters with ease.

The Sharks continued to add to their lead, pushing across a run in each inning through the sixth – including a pair in the fifth. In the top of the fifth, Rubin slugged her first career homerun to straightaway centerfield. After senior catcher Emma Thacher followed with a double, senior Emily Barbella came in to pinch run and scored the Sharks' second run on a single to right field off the bat of junior Kylie Collins.

Tossing her fourth complete game of the season, Castigliego improved to 4-4 allowing just two runs, while scattering six hits and striking out a pair.

GAME 2: Simmons 4, Gordon 4
Finding themselves trailing, 3-1, after one full inning, Simmons battled back to tie up the game at four before it was called at the end of the seventh.

In the top of the third, Collins led off the inning with an infield single and scampered into scoring position on an error by the middle infield. After Bott singled into left field to load the bases, senior backstop Shannon McMahon ripped a double into left field to plate both Collins and Mulhern and bring the Sharks to within one run of the Fighting Scots, 4-3. 

Three innings later, using a bit of small ball, the Sharks tied up the ballgame, 4-4. First-year Raya Anderson opened frame with a bunt base-hit, before advancing into scoring position on a ground out by Collins. After Mulhern reached on a bunt of her own, the Sharks were threatening with runners at the corners and only one out. Bott drove in Anderson, reaching on fielder's choice to tie the game.

Neither team was able to push across another run before the game was called at the end of the seventh. Castigliego retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth and retired six of the last seven batters she faced.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Sophomore Jordyn Rubin was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, going 4-for-4 with a double, a homerun and three RBI in game one.
• Rubin went 5-for-8 with a double, homerun and three RBI on the day.
• In game two, every member of the starting line-up reached base safely via a hit – Kylie Collins, Christie Bott and Maddie Castigliego all had two hits in the second game.
• Bott went 4-for-7 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored against the Fighting Scots. 

UP NEXT
Simmons opens up at home on Sunday, March 20, hosting non-conference Brandeis University at Daly Field. First pitch is slated for noon.