BRIGHTON, Mass. – Simmons softball began its title defense in the 2025 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) against the North's second seed Emmanuel College. The Saints got the best of the Sharks with a 5-2 win to move into the winner's bracket.

Simmons took an early lead in the first inning when Emily Deleault reached base and scored on an RBI single by Ally Hyde. The Sharks maintained this 1–0 advantage until the fifth inning. However, Emmanuel capitalized on defensive miscues and timely hitting to score five unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth, turning the tide of the game.

In the sixth inning, Zoe Soule provided a spark for Simmons with a solo home run to left field, narrowing the deficit to 5–2. Despite this effort, the Sharks were unable to mount a further comeback. Pitcher Piper Kinney took the loss, allowing five unearned runs on nine hits over six innings. Offensively, Simmons managed just four hits, with Deleault, Hyde, Soule, and Kinney each recording one.

This defeat brought Simmons' overall record to 18–21, while Emmanuel improved to 15–22. The Sharks will look to rebound in their upcoming games as they aim to finish the season on a strong note.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Junior right-hander Piper Kinney registered 13 strikeouts over six innings.
• First-year Zoe Soule went one-for-three with a homerun and an RBI.
• Junior Ally Hyde went one-for-two with a walk and an RBI.

UP NEXT
Simmons looks to keep their sites of a third GNAC title alive returning to the diamond on Saturday, May 3 against Regis College on the campus of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. First pitch at noon.