BOSTON, Mass. – Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego became Simmons softball's (15-11, 3-1 GNAC) All-Time leader in wins following a, 4-1, victory in game one early Wednesday evening. The Sharks dropped the second game, 7-6  of the twin-bill despite erasing a 5-0 deficit with a late inning comeback.

GAME 1: SIMMONS 4, EMMANUEL 1

Senior pitcher Maddie Castigliego struck out consecutive three batters, to end the first inning. This set the competitive tone that helped the Sharks gain momentum throughout the game. The Sharks started the second inning off strong with a left field double by senior Emma Thacher. First-year Teagan Buckley made it to first base, due to an error, which allowed Thacher to come home.

In the top of the third inning, Castigliego blasted a triple down the right field, which allowed senior Shannon McMahon to make it home to give Simmons a two-run lead. However, Emmanuel answered with a solo homerun by Olivia Conti. 

The Sharks continued to hit well in the fifth inning as McMahon and Castigliego had sacrifice flies to allow junior Jordyn Rubin and first-year Leah Connor to score. With the two RBIs, the score became 4-1 in favor of Simmons.

In the sixth and seventh innings, the Saints tried to start a comeback. Nonetheless, Castigliego continued to pitch impressively and tied her career best record of 11 strikeouts to finish the game.

GAME 2: EMMANUEL 7, SIMMONS 6

Emmanuel put three runs on the board in the first inning. From then, the Saints were in firm control of the game and while Simmons had some close opportunities, no runs were scored. In the third inning, Emmanuel added two more runs to have a 5-0 lead. Despite the score, the Sharks kept their heads up. 

In the fifth inning, first year A.J. Swett hit a single into left field to start off the batting order. While first-year Leah Connor was at-bat, Swett stole second base quicky as Connor was walked. Swett stole her third base of the inning, allowing runners on first and third base. Sophomore Raya Anderson stepped up to bat and hit a three-run homerun deep into left field. The score became 5-3 in favor of Emmanuel.

The comeback continued in the sixth inning for the Sharks as first-year Teagan Buckley hit a single and then Swett had a single as well which moved Buckley to second. At the same time, Swett stole second and Buckley stole third, putting Simmons in close positions to score. Connor launched a two RBI double into left center field, prompting Swett and Buckley to cross home plate.

The Saints continued to extend their lead by taking a one-run lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Going into the seventh, Simmons knew they had to respond early in the inning. With two runners on base, Buckley hit a single which allowed senior Maddie Castigliego to make it home, tying the game again, 6-6. 

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Emmanuel's Olivia Conti hit her second solo home run of the day to end the game. 

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS:

• Senior Maddie Castigliego became the new All-Time wins leader for Simmons softball with 55 career wins. She also tied her career best record of 11 strikeouts in Game 1.
• The team had six stolen bases in the second game, which is the team's second most stolen bases this season. First-year A.J. Swett led the team with three stolen bases.
• Sophomore Raya Anderson hit her first career home run in the second game.

UP NEXT:
Simmons softball returns to Daly Field on Saturday, April 15 with a doubleheader against the University of Hartford. First pitch is at 12:00 p.m.