BRIGHTON, Mass. – Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego led Simmons softball (13-8-1, 4-0 GNAC) to sweep of Anna Maria College (8-16, 2-6 GNAC) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Division doubleheader, Saturday afternoon.
GAME 1: Simmons 19, Anna Maria 1
The Sharks bats gave Castigliego a quick lead to work with push, putting up a four-spot in the top of the first. Senior Alex Morang opened the inning with a double into left field, then went from first to third on a bunt single by senior Allie Mulhern. After senior backstop Shannon McMahon walked to load the bases, sophomore Jordyn Rubin cleared them pulling a triple into right to drive on three runs. Rubin came in to score the fourth Shark run on base hit into center by senior Christie Bott.
Anna Mara got a run back in the home half of the first, but the Simmons bats were far to hot. The Sharks scored in every inning, including batting around in both the third and fifth innings, scoring five and six runs, respectively.
In the top of the third, junior Sam Barr roped a one-out double then came in score a double by senior Emily Barbella to bring the lineup back around to the top. Morang connected a 1-0 count and launched her first homerun of her collegiate career to give the Sharks a 9-1 lead. But the damage was far from done as the Sharks went on to score two more runs to a take a 10-run lead.
It proved to be more than enough for Castigliego, who threw 75 pitches – 50 for strikes – and struck out eight Amcats, while scattering three hits.
GAME 2: Simmons 7, Anna Maria 2
The second game of the twin-bill was much closer, but once again the Sharks jumped on the scoreboard first, pushing across a pair of runs in the top of the first. Morang opened game reaching on a hit by pitch then advanced into scoring position on a single by Mulhern. After McMahon reached on a fielder's choice, Mulhern advanced another 60 feet on a throwing error at third. Moments later, she came into score the first Shark run on a double steal. Two batters later, Bott drove home McMahon with a base-hit back into center to give Simmons the 2-0 lead.
Simmons added to its lead an inning later. Senior catcher Emma Thacher opened the inning with a walk, but was tagged out between second and third after taking a long turn at second following a single by Kylie Collins. However, two batters later, Morang came through with an RBI triple to put the Sharks in front, 3-0.
Anna Maria was able to get one back in the home half, but Simmons got that run back in the top of the fifth. Rubin lined a two-out double into left centerfield to bring home Morang to go back in front by three, 4-1. A three-run top of the seventh, that included junior Sam Barr's third career homrun sealed the win.
In the circle, Castigliego was dealing once again, tying her career single-game best, retiring nine batters on strikes. In the bottom of fifth, she caught the Amcats Raven Carrie starring at strike three to end the frame for her 200th career strikeout. She ended up finished the day with 17 strikeouts.
SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS
- Senior Maddie Castigliego registered her 200th career strikeout, striking out the Amcats Raven Carrie to end the fifth inning of game two.
- Castigliego also tied her career single-game best, fanning nine Amcats in game two, finishing with 17 strikeouts on the day.
- Senior Alex Morang slugged her first collegiate career homerun over the left centerfield fence in the top of the third.
UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond for a mid-week conference double-header against rival Emmanuel College on Wednesday, April 13. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.