BRIGHTON, Mass. – Simmons softball (15-13) fell to the University of Hartford (13-13) in a 3-2 loss in the first game of the day at Daly Field. In the second game, Hartford picked up the 6-5 win over Simmons in a 12-inning thriller.
GAME 1: HARTFORD 3, SIMMONS 2
Hartford started the game off with a double to center field which led to the first run of the game. However, senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego managed to minimize the damage, getting Samantha Nagel to fly out to leftfield as the Sharks headed into the home half trailing by just one. From the second inning on, both teams had a few hits and some opportunities to score but nothing ever came out of those chances.
The Hawks picked up their momentum again in the fourth inning with a pair of runs on three hits, to push the lead to 3-0. The Sharks immediately knew that they needed to respond.
In the bottom of the fifth, the first-years were instrumental in getting Simmons back into the game. First-year Teagan Buckley took a walk to first to start the order. Then, Buckley went to third base after two sacrifice hits by fellow first-years Emery Kreidel-Reimer and A.J. Swett. Another first-year, Leah Connor, launched a double into center field allowing Buckley to score.
The Sharks held off Hartford in the sixth inning, which ultimately gave them confidence going into the bottom of the sixth. Junior Jordyn Rubin ripped a double into left field, to open the frame. Next, senior Maddie Castigliego hit a single into centerfield. While senior Emma Thacher was up to bat, the Sharks were successful with the double steal, with Rubin coming in with the second run of the game.
Simmons kept Hartford off the board in the top of the seventh, but the Sharks went down in order in the home half to conclude game one.
GAME 2: HARTFORD 6, SIMMONS 5
First-year Piper Kinney started off the second game with only seven pitches and one strikeout. This would fuel some fire in the Sharks for the remainder of the game. Hartford jumped on the board first with solo homerun to lead off the top of the second than increased the lead to 2-0 pushing across another run two innings later.
However, in the home half of the fourth, sophomore Raya Anderson reached on a bunt base-hit to open the inning. After successfully stealing second, Anderson came around to put the Sharks on the board on a double to left off the bat of senior Shannon McMahon.
The Sharks continued to string together offense in the bottom of the fifth inning. First-years Teagan Buckley lined a single down the right field line, then three batters later first-year Leah Connor picked up a clutch two-out single to center to move Buckley up 60 feet. The pair of first-years quickly advanced into scoring position swiping second and third. Moments later, Anderson laced her second single of the game to bring teammates Buckley and Connor home to put Simmons in front, 3-2.
Hartford didn't go away and tied up the ballgame in the of the sixth.
Kinney struck out the side in the top of the seventh inning. Other than that, both teams didn't have many chances to take the lead. Until the eighth inning, where the Hawks scored their fourth run of the game. In response, first year A.J. Swett ran home after a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth.
In the ninth and 10th innings, both teams held each other scoreless and without any hits. It was a true back-and-forth battle between Hawks and Sharks. This showed in the 11th inning when the Hawks scored their fifth run in the top half, but in the home half, Connor ripped a single into centerfield to bring home Buckley and tie up the game.
Hartford scored their sixth run of the game, to take a 6-5 lead. The Sharks knew they had an opportunity to finish the game out strong with aggressive baserunning in the bottom of the 12th. But a quick double-play and a pop out to first ended the threat.
SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS:
- First-year Piper Kinney went the distance in game two tossing 12 innings while allowing just two earned runs on seven hits and striking out eight.
- Sophomore Raya Anderson went 2-for-8 on the day with a pair of RBI and walk.
- First-year Teagan Buckley went 3-for-7 from the bottom of the line up with three runs scored and a walk.
UP NEXT:
Simmons softball will play Elms College, tomorrow, April 16 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Holyoke High School.