BRIGHTON, Mass. – Simmons softball (19-13, 5-1 GNAC North) picked up another two wins against Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Division foe, Anna Maria College on Friday afternoon.

GAME 1: Simmons 6, Anna Maria 4

The first game of the double-header was scoreless through the first three full innings, before the Sharks pushed a trio of runs across the plate in the home half of the fourth. Junior Jordyn Rubin and senior Shannon McMahon opened with the frame with back-to-back base hits. Fellow senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego helped her own cause with a triple into left field to plate both Rubin and McMahon. Moments later, the third fifth-year senior Emma Thacher brought in Castigliego with the third Sharks run.  

Anna Maria got one run back in the top of the fifth, due to a two-out RBI double, but Castigliego was able to limit the damage to just one run. The Sharks added to their lead pushing across another three runs in the bottom of the frame to extend their lead to 6-1.

Although the Amcats closed the gap two runs, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth, it was as close as they would get. Castigliego picked up her 11^th win the season, tossing a complete-game allowing just one earned run on seven hits while fanning eight Amcats.

GAME 2: Simmons 5, Anna Maria 0

Toeing the rubber in her 11^th start of the season, first-year right-hander Piper Kinney had her A-game working in game two. The central Massachusetts native retired the first eight batters she faced, including striking out the side in the top of the second.

The Sharks offense gave their first-year pitcher and early lead to work with, scoring three times in the bottom of the first. With a runner in scoring position and only one out, McMahon doubled down the left field line to bring home first-year Leah Connor with the first run.  Moments after Castigliego walked and stole second to give the Sharks runners in scoring position and less than two outs, Thacher plated both her classmates with a two RBI single back where it came from to take a 3-0 lead.

It was plenty of offense for Kinney, who took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The Amcats' Ashley Garcia dropped down a bunt and beat out the throw to first to end the bid. However, Kinney responded the only way she knew how and took it out on the next three batters, setting them down strikes to end the frame. 

While the Shark bats scored twice more in the fourth and fifth innings, Kinney continued to dominant in the circle. Improving to 6-4 on the season, Kinney struck out nine opposing batters while walking just one.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• For the third time this season, first-year right-hander Piper Kinney fanned nine or more batters, striking out nine Amcats to earn her sixth win the season.
• Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego picked up her 11^th win of the season, registering eight strikeouts while allowing just one earned run on seven hits in game one.
• Castigliego helped her own cause at the plate in game one, going two-for-two with a triple and three RBI.
• Senior Emma Thacher also drove in a pair of baserunners and went two-for-three in game. She followed it up with another two-for-three performance in game two, where she drove in another three baserunners.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond tomorrow afternoon when they host Norwich University at Daly Field. First pitch at 2 p.m.