AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Simmons softball (3-4) got back to its winning ways with a 4-1 victory over regional foe UMass-Dartmouth (0-1) on Thursday morning.

The Sharks jumped on the board quickly, pushing a run across in the top of the first. Sophomore centerfield beat out a bunt single then advanced to second a wild throw by RaeLynn Perregaux. Anderson was not at second for very long, coming around to score the first run of the game on a base hit up the middle by first-year Leah Connor.

Making her fourth start of the young season, senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego escaped a mini threat unscathed in the home half of the first, but the Corsairs scored the equalizer an inning. UMass Dartmouth took advantage of a throwing error by the Sharks that sent Perregaux to third following a lead-off double, she came in to tie the ballgame on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Haile Lyons a batter later.

The two pitchers appeared to settle down over the next two innings. After Connor led off the top of the third with a single into center, Corsair starter Jill Richards settled down and retired the next seven batters – six by way of the strikeout.

When the lineup turned back around for the second time in the top of the fifth, Anderson broke up the string of retired batters beating out an infield chopper. Connor followed up ripping a double down the left field line to give the Sharks runners in scoring position with only one out. Moments later, junior Jordyn Rubin hit a grounder to the left side of the infield for the second out of the inning, but in the back door came Anderson with the game-winning run.  

Simmons tacked on a pair of insurance runs in top of the seventh. Connor opened the frame with her fourth hit of the game, then went from first to third on an opposite field single off the bat of senior Shannon McMahon. Castigliego helped her own cause with a base hit to left ot plate Connor.

After senior catcher Emma Thacher loaded the bases with a single to right field, first-year pinch hitter Teagan Buckley brought home McMahon with the fourth run on a fielder's choice.

It was more than enough for Castigliego, who despite giving up a leadoff single to beginning the home half of the seventh, settled down to earn her third win of the season.  

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• First-year Leah Connor went 4-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
• Sophomore Raya Anderson set the tone of the game going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, including the first run of the game.
• Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego picked up her third win of the season tossing a complete game, seven innings allowing just one unearned run while scattering three hits and striking out three.

UP NEXT
Simmons plays Marietta College at 2 p.m. this afternoon in Auburndale, Florida.