WINTHROP, Mass. – Simmons softball claimed a first-round bye in the 2022 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship Tournament earning the second seed in the North Division announced Saturday evening. 

Winning nine of their last 10 games, the Sharks finished the regular season with a 24-11-1 overall mark, including a 14-2 record against conference foes. It marks the first time since 2015, when they won 15 GNAC games, the Sharks won at least 14 conference games in a single season.

Leading the GNAC on the base paths with 63 stolen bases, Simmons is slated to play the winner of the No. 3 Saint Joseph's College of Maine and No. 4 Rivier on Thursday, May 5 at Clemente Field in Boston. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. 

2022 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship Tournament
First Round - Tuesday, May 3
North play-in: #4N Rivier at #3N Saint Joseph's Maine - 4:00 PM SAINT JOSEPH'S (ME) WON, 4-3 9 inn. 
South play-in: #4S Regis at #3S Saint Joseph CT - USJ WON, 8-1

Quarterfinals - Thursday, May 5
Game 1: Saint Joseph's (ME) at #2N Simmons (hosted by Emmanuel) - SIMMONS WON, 6-0
Game 2: #3S Saint Joseph (Conn.) at #2S Johnson & Wales (hosted by Albertus) - JWU WON 1-0 8 inn.
Game 3: #2N Simmons at #1N Emmanuel - EMMANUEL WON, 2-1 10 inn.
Game 4: #2S Johnson & Wales at #1S Albertus Magnus - JWU WON, 10-2

Semifinals - Saturday, May 7 (hosted by #1N Emmanuel)
Game 5: #1S Albertus Magnus vs. #3N Saint Joseph's (ME) - SAINT JOSEPH'S MAINE WON, 5-3
Game 6: #2N Simmons vs. #3S Saint Joseph (Conn.) - SIMMONS WON, 3-0
Game 7: #1N Emmanuel vs. #2S Johnson & Wales - 2:30 PM
Game 8: #3N Saint Joseph's (ME) vs. #2N Simmons - 5:00 PM (elimination game)

Championship - Sunday, May 8  (hosted by #1N Emmanuel)
Game 9: Winner of Game 8 vs. Loser Game 7 - 10:00 AM (elimination game) 
Game 10: Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9 - 12:30 PM
Game 11: If necessary - 3:00 PM