FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- First year Maddie Castigliego (Bristol, R.I.) went 3-4 with a double and did not allow a run from the pitching circle in five and two-thirds innings to lead the Simmons University softball team in a pair of losses to host Framingham State University, 5-4, 6-4, this afternoon at Maple Street Field in Framingham, Mass. The Sharks fall to 10-18 on the season, while the Rams improve to 13-11.

Framingham State trailed after Simmons' half of the fifth inning in both games, before putting together rallies to put the Rams in front for good in both games. 

Castigliego knocked in a run as well for the Sharks, while sophomore left fielder Ivy Vann (Bend, Ore.) collected three hits in seven at-bats and added an RBI and two runs scored. Senior first base Dom Ortiz (Lawrence, Mass.) reached base four times with a pair of singles and two walks, while scoring a run.

Junior Mycala Moody (North Attleboro, Mass.) led the Rams offense, going 4-6 with a double, two runs batted in and a pair of runs scored, while sophomore Grace Caughey (Mendon, Mass.) doubled and singled, drove in four runs and scored twice. Sophomore Camille Desrochers (Westford, Mass.) rapped out a pair of doubles, knocked in a run and scored three times.

The Rams entered the bottom of the sixth down, 4-0, before they batted around and scored five runs to secure the come from behind victory. Framingham State loaded the bases with one out and Moody drew a bases loaded walk to put the home team on the board.  Caughey reached on a fielder's choice to plate a run on a heads up base running play by Desrochers for the second run to score on the play. First year Laela Pepin (Acushnet, Mass.) reached on an error in the Simmons outfield, allowing the final two runs of the frame to cross the plate.

Senior starting pitcher Kelsi Gunarathne (North Providence, RI) retired the Sharks in order in the top of the seventh to secure the victory and become the Framingham State career wins leader with 45.

Following three scoreless innings, Simmons got on the board in the top of the fourth on an RBI single to left by Castigliego to take a 1-0 edge.  The Sharks plated three more in the top of the fifth to take a 4-0 lead.  Vann delivered an RBI single in the inning, while sophomore Christie Bott (Seaford, N.Y.) plated a run with a double. Oritz singled and the ball was misplayed in the Rams outfield allowing the final run of the frame to score to give Simmons a 4-0 lead.

Gunarathne (8-6) allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks to go with three strikeouts in the game for Framingham State. Castigliego did not factor in the decision for the Sharks, but tossed five and two-thirds innings of scoreless ball and allowed just four hits, but walked five to go with a pair of strikeouts. Senior Tori Gomes (Taunton, Mass.) (1-5) worked a third of an inning in relief for Simmons and took the loss allowing five runs (four earned) on a hit with three walks.

The Rams looked up at a 4-2 deficit to begin the fifth, before scoring three runs to reclaim the lead in game two. Desrochers scored from third on a wild pitch and Caughey singled home a run to tie the game.  Pepin came through with an RBI single for the go-ahead run. Framingham State added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Moody laced a double to left to give the home team a 6-4 lead.

The Rams took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Junior Kirsten Dick (Tewksbury, Mass.) doubled and then scored on a double by Desrochers, before Caughey followed with an RBI double of her own. The Sharks bats came alive in the fourth, scoring four runs to take a two-run lead. Bott grounded into an RBI fielder's choice to put them on the board. First year Shannon McMahon (El Cajon, Calif.) followed with an RBI double and sophomore starting pitcher Hailey Yabroudy (Amherst, N.H.) plated a pair with a single.

Caughey (2-5) went seven innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout to earn the victory for Framingham State. Yabroudy (3-7) took the loss for Simmons, going six innings and allowing six earned runs on nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

The Sharks return to action on Saturday, April 13 when they host Johnson & Wales University at Daly Field for a 12:00 p.m. twinbill, while the Rams host Worcester State University on the same day for a pair of games at 1:00 p.m.