NASHUA, N.H. – A couple of milestones were reached in Simmons softball's (14-10, 2-0 GNAC) sweep of Rivier University (6-15, 2-4 GNAC) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday afternoon.
The two victories against the Raiders gave Head Coach Brook Capello her 200th win of her career, while senior Shannon McMahon recorded her 100th career hit with a double off the left field wall in game two. McMahon became the 17th Shark in program history to reach the 100 hit plateau.
GAME 1: SIMMONS 5, RIVIER 2
In the first game of the afternoon, the Sharks scored one run in each of the first five innings, while senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego kept the Raiders off the board. Nearly every member of the Simmons lineup recorded a base-hit, led by junior Jordyn Rubin, who went two-for-four which included launching her first homerun of the season – solo shot in the top of the fifth.
First-year Emery Kreidel-Reimer also went two-for-three at the plate, from the bottom of the Shark batting order to help Castigliego pick up her eighth win of the season. The Rhode Island native tossed her ninth compete game of the season allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out six.
GAME 2: SIMMONS 7, RIVIER 2
The Sharks wasted little time, jumping out to a quick, 2-0 lead in game two. With a runner on board, McMahon registered career hit number 99 driving a two-run homerun over the the centerfield fence.
First-year right-hander Piper Kinney made quick work of the Raiders in the bottom of the first inning, retiring Sarah Frazier on strikes to send the Sharks back to the plate.
Senior Emma Thacher began a four-run, top of the second with an opposite field single then moved up 60 feet on a base-hit to left field off the bat of Teagan Buckley. After first-year Anna Gagliastrio advanced Thacher and Buckley into scoring position on sacrifice bunt, fellow first-year Abby Viggiano ripped a two-run single back where it came from to give the Sharks a 4-0 lead. Viggiano came home to score the fifth Shark run on a single into left field off the bat of first-year Leah Connor.
The Sharks were not finished. After Rubin reached on a fielder's choice to give Simmons runners at the corners, she got herself in a run-down long enough to allow Connor to come in the back door to put the Sharks up, 6-0.
It was more than enough for Kinney to earn her fifth win of the year. Retiring the first six batters of the game, including three on strikes, the first-year right-hander struck out nine Raiders over seven innings of work.
SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS
- Senior Shannon McMahon became the 17th Shark in program history to registered 100 career hits, with hit number 100 coming on a double off the left field wall to lead off the fifth.
- McMahon went three-for-six with two doubles, a homerun and three RBI.
- First-year Emery Kreidel-Reimer went two-for-three from the bottom of the Shark lineup in game one.
- Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego improved to 8-6 earning the win in game one and tied the program record for career wins with 54.
- First-year right-hander Piper Kinney moved to 5-3 on the season, tossing a complete game in game two while striking out nine Raiders.
UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond on Wednesday, April 12 when they cross Brookline Avenue for a double-header against rival Emmanuel College. First pitch at 5 p.m.