LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Following a historic season, Simmons softball (27-16) was amongst 10 NCAA Division III programs to be selected by their peers as the 2023 ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year announced Wednesday afternoon.
Led by longtime head coach Brook Capello, the Sharks captured the program's first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship. Defeating Lasell University, 7-3, in the GNAC title game on May 7, Simmons earned their first trip into the NCAA Regionals.
In the NCAA Regionals, despite losing their first game to regionally-ranked MIT, the Sharks went on to end the season for both the second and third seeds from the regional tournament. Keeping their season, alive Simmons defeating RPI, 8-5, before completing the ultimate comeback against Endicott with a 7-5 win to meet MIT in the regional finals the following day.
The Sharks had a plethora of highlights in 2023, which included senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego recording her 300th and 400th career strikeout, while also becoming the program's all-time win leader. Additionally, she became the 18th player in program history to record her 100th career hit. Her battery-mate, fellow senior Shannon McMahon became fourth player in program history to reach 100 career RBI
Midway through the season, McMahon became the 17th player in program history to reach 100 career hits in a 7-2 victory over conference foe Rivier University on April 8 – the same day Coach Capello captured her 200th career victory.