CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Simmons softball (22-11-1) earned its first win against MIT in 10 years with a 2-0 win in game one Wednesday afternoon as the Sharks split the non-conference doubleheader with the Engineers.
GAME 1: Simmons 2, MIT 0
Toeing the rubber in game one, senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego came out of the gate strong, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. After allowing the second batter of the game to reach on a fielder's choice, Castigliego settled down and retired the next 13 batters before hitting MIT's Abby Shull in the bottom of the fifth.
As the Rhode Island native was keeping the Engineer hitters off balance, the Sharks drew first blood in the top of the third. Junior Sam Barr ripped a double down the right field then advance 60 feet on bunt single by senior Allie Mulhern. With runners at the corners and two outs, Mulhern took off for second on a double steal, allowing Barr to come home with the game's first run.
The Sharks added an insurance run three innings later due to some more small ball. Mulhern lined an opposite field single into right field then got herself into scoring position with a steal of second. Senior Christie Bott grounded out to third for the second out of the inning, but it allowed Mulhern to move up another 60 feet. It was a golden opportunity for the Sharks as Mulhern scored moments later on a wild pitch to give Simmons the 2-0 advantage.
Castigliego ran into trouble in the home half of the frame, hitting Becca O'Connor with a pitch to lead off the frame. Two batters later she gave up her first hit of the game to Rylie Spiegel, a single into right field, to give the Engineers runners at the corners and only one out. But Castigliego settled down and retired Dana Bell on strikes then got Mackenzie Relihan to pop out to third to end the inning. She went on to earn her 21st win allowing just two hits while striking out four Engineers.
GAME 2: MIT 8, Simmons 4
The Engineers got to Castigliego for four runs in the bottom of the first inning of game two to take a quick, 4-0 lead. But Castigliego settled down, retiring the six of the next seven batters she faced, allowing her offense to go to work in the top of the fourth.
The second time through the order for the Sharks proved valuable. Mulhern opened the top of the fourth with a lead-off double, followed by a walk by Bott. Once again, showing aggressiveness on the base paths, Mulhern was thrown out trying to steal third for the first out. Sophomore Jordyn Rubin kept the threat alive reaching on an outfield error.
With runners at the corners, senior Shannon McMahon launched her third homerun of the season to pull the Sharks to within one of the Engineers. But it was as close as they got. The Engineers went through the order in the bottom of the fifth to put up a crooked number four and take an 8-4 lead. MIT never looked back as they went on to split the double-header.
SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS
- Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of game one before allowing a one-out single. She went on to earn her 21st win of the season allowing just two hits in seven innings while striking out four.
- Senior Shannon McMahon slugged her third homerun of the season, a three-run shot in the top of the fourth inning of game two to pull the Sharks to within a run.
- Senior Allie Mulhern went three-for-six with a run scored from the top of the Sharks lineup.
GAME NOTES
- The Sharks' 2-0 victory in game one was the first time Simmons defeated MIT in decade. Their last win came on March 13, 2012 when the Sharks defeated the Engineers, 5-1, and swept the doubleheader in Cambridge that day.
UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond on Saturday, April 30 when they close out the regular season hosting Rivier University at Daly Field. First pitch at noon.