WINTHROP, Mass. – Simmons softball (13-22, 9-7 GNAC) has the chance to defend its 2023 crown earning a spot in the 2024 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship Tournament announced by the league on Sunday evening.
Finishing with a 9-7 conference record, the Sharks secured the third seed in the North Division and earn a bye into the double elimination, pod play beginning on Thursday, May 2. Simmons will face the second seed from the GNAC North Division and rival Emmanuel College on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. on the campus of the GNAC South Division top seed Lasell University.
The Sharks will be looking for redemption after dropping a pair of games to the Saints in the final week of the regular season. However, sophomore right-hander Piper Kinney held Emmanuel to just two hits last week, while striking out 14 opposing batters for the third time this season.
2024 GNAC Softball Tournament Schedule
Play-In - Tuesday, April 30
Game 1 - #5N New England College at #4N Rivier, 7 p.m.
Game 2 - #5S University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) at #4S Albertus Magnus, 3:30 p.m.
Pod Play Day 1 - Thursday, May 2
Pod A
(Hosted by No. 1N seed Saint Joseph's (Maine))
Game 3A – Winner of Game 1 at #1N Saint Joseph's (Maine), TBD
Game 4A - #3S Johnson & Wales vs. #2S Mitchell, TBD
Pod B
(Hosted by No. 1S seed Lasell)
Game 3B – Winner of Game 2 at #1S Lasell, 2 p.m.
Game 4B - #3N Simmons vs. #2N Emmanuel, 4:30 p.m.
Pod Play Day 2 - Saturday, May 4
Pod A
(Hosted by No. 1N seed Saint Joseph's (Maine))
Game 5A - Game 3A Loser vs. Game 4A Loser, TBD
Game 6A - Game 3A Winner vs. Game 4A Winner, TBD
Game 7A - Game 5A Winner vs. Game 6A Loser, TBD
Pod B
(Hosted by No. 1S seed Lasell)
Game 5B - Game 3B Loser vs. Game 4B Loser, 11 a.m.
Game 6B - Game 3B Winner vs. Game 4B Winner, 1:30 p.m.
Game 7B - Game 5B Winner vs. Game 6B Loser, 4 p.m.
Pod Finals - Sunday, May 5
Pod A
(Hosted by No. 1N seed Saint Joseph's (Maine))
Game 8A - Game 4A Winner vs. Game 5A Winner, TBD
Game 9A - If necessary
Pod B
(Hosted by No. 1S seed Lasell)
Game 6B - Game 4B Winner vs. Game 5B Winner, Noon
Game 7B - If necessary