NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Simmons softball (11-18, 7-3 GNAC) swept Norwich University (4-18, 2-8 GNAC) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Division action on Saturday afternoon.

GAME 1: Simmons 10, Norwich 2

After a scoreless first two innings, the Sharks batted around in the top of the third inning to put up a crooked number five. Sophomore right-hander Piper Kinney helped her own cause, leading off of frame with an opposite field base hit. Three batters later with the bases loaded, senior Jordyn Rubin lined a single through the left side to plate Kinney.

The Sharks offense did not stop. Sophomore Teagan Buckley ripped a single back where it came from to bring home sophomore Emily Deleault from third, while junior Leah Berdeen got into the action next. With a single through the right side of the infield, Berdeen drove home sophomore Emma Soule, before sophomore Trinity Payne laced a two-run single to right-center to bring home Buckley and Rubin and give the Sharks a 5-0 lead.

Norwich chipped away the Simmons lead, getting two runs back in the home have of the third, but that was all they would get against Kinney. Kinney went on to retire the last seven batters she faced, including six by way of the strike out.

GAME 2: Simmons 9, Norwich 0

The bats stayed loud into game two as sophomore right-hander Ally Hyde had a four-run lead before stepping foot on the rubber. Anderson led off inning beating out a bunt single then went from first to third on an opposite field base-hit by Deleault.

After a sacrifice fly off the bat of Soule brought Anderson home, Rubin pulled a single into right field to bring home Deleault. Two batters later Rubin crossed the plate with the third Sharks run on a single through the left side from Berdeen. Moments later Payne capped off the scoring roping a triple down the left field line to bring home Berdeen with the fourth run.

A four-run lead was plenty for Hyde to work with as she earned her first shutout of the season. Over six innings of work, Oregon native kept the Cadet bats off balance allowing just four hits, while fanning eight opposing batters to earn her second win of the season.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Sophomore right-hander Piper Kinney earned her ninth victory of the season tossing a complete game five innings, allowing just three hits and striking out 11 Cadets.
• Sophomore Ally Hyde tossed six innings of shutout ball with eight strike outs to earn her second win of the year.
• Junior Raya Anderson registered a career single-game high going four-for-four in game two.
• Junior Leah Berdeen went four-for-seven on the afternoon with a double and four RBI.
• Senior Jordyn Rubin went three-for-seven with two runs scored and driving in another pair.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader against Rivier University. First pitch at noon.