BRIGHTON, Mass. – Sophomore right-hander Piper Kinney fanned 14 Amcats as Simmons softball (6-17, 2-2 GNAC) split Saturday afternoon's Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) twin billing with Anna Maria College (9-14, 1-3 GNAC).

GAME 1: SIMMONS 5, ANNA MARIA 0
Kinney began the day strong, retiring 10 of the first 11 batters she faced with eight of them coming by way of the strikeout. Offensively, the Sharks bats came alive and provided Kinney with plenty of run support in the top of the third.  

Sophomore Teagan Buckley opened the frame with base hit back up the middle then advanced to second on a bunt single by junior Raya Anderson. Moments later the Sharks scored the first run of the game, taking advantage of a throwing error in the Amcat outfield following a base-hit by sophomore Emily Deleault.

With runners in scoring position and only one out, sophomore Emma Soule kept the pressure on the Amcats lining a double into the right centerfield gap to bring home Deleault and Anderson to extend the lead to 3-0. Two batters later, senior Jordyn Rubin pulled a single though the right side to bring home Soule with the fourth and final run of the frame.

The Sharks added to their lead, pushing across their fifth run two innings later in. But it was more enough for Kinney, who remained red-hot in the circle. Striking out the side in order in the bottom of the third, she earned her first shutout of the season.  

GAME 2: ANNA MARIA 2, SIMMONS 0

Anna Maria jumped on the board first in game two, scoring two runs on four hits to take an early 2-0 lead. Amcat starter Eden Forget was able to keep the Shark bats at bay until the top fo the sixth when the Sharks were threatening to tie the game.

Soule opened the inning with a base hit up the middle then got herself into scoring position safely swiping second. After Rubin reached on a single, Buckley dropped a single into left field to load the bases with only one out. But the Sharks were unable to capitalize on the opportunity with a pop out to first and strike out to end the threat.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Sophomore Piper Kinney earned her first shutout of the season and surpassed her career single-game high fanning 14 Amcats in a complete game, 5-0, win in game one.
• Senior right fielder Jordyn Rubin went 6-for-7 at the plate with a double, triple and an RBI on the day.
• Sophomore Emma Soule went two-for-three with a double and pair of RBI in the Sharks game on victory. She finished the day going three-for-seven.
• Junior Leah Berdeen went three-for-seven with an RBI and a stolen base.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond tomorrow afternoon hosting a GNAC double-header against New England College at Daly Field. First pitch at noon.