WINTHROP, Mass. – Sophomores Trinity Payne and Piper Kinney were named Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player and Pitcher of the Week announced by the league on Monday afternoon. 

The duo helped guide the Sharks to a convincing 15-1 victory over Neumann University to open the season on Sunday morning.

Payne posted a career single-game best, going four-for-four at the dish while driving in a pair of base runners in the win. In the top of the fifth inning and the Sharks leading by two, Payne lined an opposite field single down the right field line to plate two runs to extend the lead to 5-1 and ignite a Simmons offense that scored 12 runs in the final two innings.

Kinney earned her first win of the season, tossing a complete game, while striking out eight Knight batters and allowing one unearned run on five three hits. Additionally, the central Massachusetts native posted a .67 WHIP on the day.

Simmons returns to the field on Monday afternoon with a pair of games against Defiance College and Gordon College at 3:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., respectively.