NEWTON, Mass. – Simmons softball (19-10-1, 10-2 GNAC) swept Lasell University (13-17, 5-7 GNAC) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action, Saturday afternoon.

Earning a pair of victories over the Lasers, senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego registered 14 strikeouts – seven in each game – while giving up just two runs in 13 innings. Additionally, she helped her own cause going four-for-seven with two homeruns and four RBI at the plate.

GAME 1: Simmons 4, Lasell 1

After a quick first inning, Simmons junior Kylie Collins put the Sharks on the board first launching her first homerun of her collegiate career over the left field fence in the top of the second. It was a short-lived lead as the Laser led-off the home half with a solo shot of their own to even the score at 1-1.

The score remained that way for the next three innings as both pitchers kept the opposing hitters off balance. In the bottom of the fourth the Lasers looked poised to push across another run following a one-out double down the right field line. But Castigliego retired Samara Turge on strikes for the second out, before catching Ally Kirck gazing at strike three for the final out of the frame.  

Senior left fielder Christie Bott finally broke up the stalemate slugging her fifth homerun of the season and ignited a three-run top of the sixth. Sophomore rightfielder Jordyn Rubin pulled a double down the right field line then came in to score the second running of the inning on a double by senior Shannon McMahon to take a 3-1 lead. Castigliego brought home McMahon with an RBI single into left field and put the Sharks ahead, 4-1, and they did not look back.

GAME 2: Simmons 10, Lasell 1 – 6 innings

In game two of the twin-bill, the Sharks scored one run in each of the first three innings to take a quick 3-0 lead. Castigliego once again helped herself at the plate, leading off the top of the second with a solo homerun to straightaway centerfield, while keeping the Laser hitters off balance in the circle. The Rhode Island native retired eight of the first nine batters she faced – three by way of the strikeout.

The Sharks broke the game wide open, batting around to put up a crooked number seven in to the top of the sixth. Castigliego opened the frame with her second homerun of the game before first-year centerfielder Raya Anderson beat out a bunt single. Anderson was retired on a fielder's choice by Collins for the first out, but damage was far from done. After junior Sam Barr reached on a two-base error in right field, senior Alex Morang laid down a perfect bunt to bring home Collins from third. 

Two batters later, Bott lined a single back where it came from to bring home Barr and Morang to put the Sharks in front 7-0. Following a double by Rubin to give Simmons runners and scoring position, McMahon laced an opposite field single to right center to bring home Bott and Rubin. In fitting fashion, Castigliego capped off the seven-run inning with a triple down the right field line to plate McMahon and take a 10-0 lead.

Lasell was able to break up the shutout scoring a run in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly, but Castigliego struck out Paige Jette looking for the final out and earn her 18^th win of the season.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego earned her 17^th and 18^th wins of the year, registering 14 strikeouts over 13 innings.
• Castigliego helped her own cause at the plate, going four-for-seven with a double, two homeruns and four RBI.
• Junior Kylie Collins launched her first homerun of her collegiate career in the top of the second inning of game one.
• Senior left fielder Christie Bott launched two homeruns – one in each game – as she went three-for-seven with five RBI on the afternoon.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond tomorrow afternoon hosting Saint Joseph's College of Maine. First pitch is slated for noon.