CHICOPEE, Mass. – Simmons softball (17-13, 5-1 GNAC North) returned to their winning ways with a pair of shutouts over Elms College (2-20, 1-9 GNAC South) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) non-divisional doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.

GAME 1: SIMMONS 12, ELMS 0

The Sharks were quick to score, pushing across a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. With first-year Leah Connor on third with two outs, senior backstop Shannon McMahon registered her third homerun of the season – this time of the inside-the-park variation – to give Simmons a 2-0 lead. 

It was all senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego needed to earn her 10^th win of the season. For the third time this season, the Rhode Island native fanned nine opposing batters, while scattering three hits over five innings of work.

Nearly every member of the starting line reached base safely via a hit. First-year Leah Connor tied her career single-game high, going four-for-four with three runs scored from the top of the Shark batting order.

GAME 2: SIMMONS 14, ELMS 0

The Shark bats gave first-year right-hander Emily Deleault an early lead, batting around in the top of the first inning to put up a crooked number six. When Deleault took to the circle she retired the first nine batters she faced, including three by way of strikes, before giving up a base hit into left field. 

After giving up a single to Courtney Schwark, Deleault quickly got Nicole DeFeo to ground into a fielder's choice. With a runner on first Kelsey Bennett lift a towering fly ball to center, but sophomore Raya Anderson settled under it for the second out then threw over to first to nab DeFeo for the third and final out of the game.

Facing the minimum number of batters (15), Deleault improved to 2-0 on the season, tossing a one-hitter against the Blazers while striking out three over five innings. 

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• First-year right-hander Emily Deleault became the second Shark pitcher this season to toss a one-hitter as she picked up the win in game two.
• Senior Shannon McMahon registered her team-leading third homerun of the season – an inside-the-park homerun in the top of the first inning of game one.
• First-year infielder Leah Connor tied her career single-game high going four-for-four from the top of the line up in game one.
• Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego struck out nine or more batters for the third time season to earn her 10^th victory of the season in game one.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond on Saturday, April 22 when they host Norwich University at 2 p.m.