BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons Softball, who made it to the GNAC Championship game for the first time since 2004, received six nods when the 2014 GNAC Softball All-Conference Honors were released Monday afternoon. The Sharks, who finished the year 27-10, 17-5 GNAC lost in the opening game of the GNAC tournament on Friday to enter the loser's bracket but fought their way back to play on Sunday in the Championship game.

For the fourth straight year, Emily Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.) was named to the GNAC Softball All-Conference First Team for her impressive season at first base and at the plate. The senior was second on the team in batting average, hitting .380 and RBIs with 35 and hit two home runs in the GNAC semifinals to lead the Sharks into their first championship appearance. Cunningham made just two errors all season at first, for a .993 fielding percentage.

Lauren Backhaus (Windsor, Conn.), Mikaela Caracciolo (North Attleboro, Mass.), Heather White (Westfield, Mass.) and Jen Field (Windham, Maine) were each named to the GNAC All-Conference Second Team for their stellar 2014 seasons. Backhaus held a 15-4 record on the year, pitching 135 innings and racked up 127 strikeouts for an average of 6.58 per game with an ERA of 1.61. Caracciolo had a breakout year, batting .438 with 11 doubles, 1 triple and two home runs and led the GNAC in batting average with .484 in conference play.

Heather White hit .375 on the year, with seven doubles, one triple and lead the Sharks with four home runs, including the Sharks lone run in the title game against Saint Joseph's College. The sophomore started all but one game at centerfield and recorded a .955 fielding percentage. Jen Field recorded 25 hits, 10 RBIs and batted .352, a career-best for the junior left fielder.

Junior Hannah Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.) received GNAC All-Conference Third Team Honors for her work at shortstop this spring. Cunningham, who batted just under .300, record 31 hits, including two doubles, a triple, one home run and picked up 14 RBIs.

The Sharks were awarded the 2014 GNAC Team Sportsmanship Award and first year Mackenzie Hayman (Veazie, Maine) was named to the 2014 Sportsmanship Team.

Emily Cunningham, Lauren Backhaus and Mikaela Caracciolo were also named to the 2014 All-Tournament Team for efforts during the GNAC Conference Tournament.