BOSTON - Juniors Raya Anderson and Leah Berdeen were active at the plate in Simmons softball's end of the week non-conference doubleheader against College of the Fenway neighbor Wentworth Institute of Technology, Friday afternoon. The pair combined to reach base nine times on the day. 

Game 1: WENTWORTH 6, SIMMONS 2

In game one, the Sharks seemed like they were poised to strike first with both Raya Anderson and Piper Kinney able to get on base with singles. Unlucky, the Leopards were able to turn a double play off a hard-hit grounder from Teagan Buckley and that would quiet the bats for the inning. Though in the home half, Kinney responded with two strikeouts of her own to quickly get Simmons back at the plate.  

The game stayed quiet until the third inning when Wentworth was the first to strike, stringing together a pair of hits. Simmons answered. the next inning. Emily Deleault doubled to left center with the bases loaded, scoring Ally Hyde and Leah Berdeen to put the Sharks in front, 2-1.

Wentworth was able to get their bats going responding with three more runs of their own in the fifth inning. It looked like the Sharks might fight their way back into the game with bases loaded in the sixth, but they fell short leaving all their runners on base. Wentworth was able to add two more insurance runs, but it looked like a seventh inning comeback was on the horizon once again. Simmons managed to load the bases, but strong pitching from Leopard's starter Julie Schriver kept the Sharks bats quiet once again.

GAME 2: WENTWORTH 8, SIMMONS 1

Sophomore right-hander Ally Hyde would start strong for the Sharks by striking out four batters in the first two innings to keep the game close. The Simmons batters kept putting the bat on the ball but were unable to find any gaps as the Leopards fielders managed to back up their pitcher. Wentworth only managed one hit off Hyde with the runner on base scoring giving Wentworth a 1-0 lead.

The Sharks managed to strike back in the third inning as Anderson reached on an outfield error, then advanced to third on a single by Kinney. Despite Kinney being caught stealing, Anderson was able to touch home plate before the final out of the frame was recorded, leveling the game at one all.

Through good pitching and fielding, Simmons was able to keep the game close until the sixth inning, when Wentworth put up a crooked number five to break the game open. Sophomore right-hander Trinity Payne came in to replace Hyde and minimized the damage, allowing only one run off of a sacrifice fly. The bats stayed quiet in the top of the seventh as the Leopard fielders backed up their starting pitcher Jess Rowe to complete the game.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Junior Raya Anderson got on base four times in game on, going two-for-two with a pair of walks.
• Junior Leah Berdeen registered three hits and one run scored in game one.
• Sophomore Emily Deleault went one-for-three with a double and two RBI in game one.
• Sophomore right-hander Piper Kinney put away seven batter while pitching six innings in game one
• Sophomore right-hander Ally Hyde registered six K's while pitching five innings in game two.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond on Wednesday, April 3 when they host Framingham State at Daly Field. First pitch at 5 p.m.