KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Simmons softball (1-0) opened the 2024 season with a convincing 15-1 victory over Neumann University (2-1) on Sunday morning. 

Junior centerfielder Raya Anderson scored the first run of the season following a clutch two-out base hit up the middle by sophomore Ally Hyde. The Knights grabbed a run in the home half of the first to tie the game back up at one, but Simmons answered.

Sophomores Emery Kreidel-Reimer and Trinity Payne began the top of the second with back-to-back base hits into left field. Two batters later, sophomore Emily Deleault pulled a two-out single into the left to plate Kreidel-Reimer to put the Sharks on top 2-1.

It appeared as if it was all sophomore right-hander Piper Kinney was going to need. Kinney kept the Knights off the scoreboard, retiring seven straight batters from the first through the third innings, before adding an insurance run in the top of the fourth on bases loaded walk to senior Jordyn Rubin. 

An inning later, the Sharks sent all nine batters to the plate and put up a crooked number five to take an 8-1 lead. Simmons' offense remained red hot, batting around in the sixth inning to push across another seven runs to extend their lead to 15-1.

GAME 2: Simmons vs. Aurora University
The second game of the day against Aurora University was called due to Florida lightning storms. 

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Sophomore right-hander Piper Kinney fanned eight Knights, while walking just one and scattering five hits to earn her first win of the season.
• Junior centerfielder Raya Anderson reached base safely in all four of her plate appearances, tying her career single-game high going 3-for-3 with three runs scored.
• Sophomore Emily Deleault recorded a single-game best, going 3-for-5 at the plate while driving in three baserunners against Neumann.
• Senior Jordyn Rubin tied her career single-game high driving in five runners against Neumann.

GAME NOTES:

• Against Neumann all nine batters reached base safely via a walk or a hit.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the field tomorrow with a pair of games against Defiance College and regional foe Gordon College at 3:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., respectively.