Simmons University

BRIGHTON, Mass. – Simmons University (No. 1N) and Emmanuel College (No. 4N) faced off for the second time in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play this afternoon, this time for the GNAC Pod A Finals. Due to GNAC rules, the Sharks were the away team today while the Saints were the home team. The Sharks secured the early lead and never looked back to defeat the Saints for the fourth time this season, 7-2.

How It Happened

• Three straight free passes loaded the bases for Simmons in the top of the first inning. Lead-off hitter Piper Kinney scored on a wild pitch (1-0) while Zoe Soule and Abigail Carvalho moved up a base for first year, Nevaeh Eth. The rookie singled down the left field line to bring Carvalho home and make it a 2-0 game and force a pitching change. Staying aggressive around the bases, Soule added another to the Simmons' side on a wild pitch to wrap up the high scoring first at bat.
• In the bottom of the frame, the Saints put together a two-out rally to get on the board (3-1).
• Carvalho led off the third with a single up the middle and was brought home by Soule who belted a double to deep left field (4-1). Following suit, the Saints scored once in the bottom of the frame to trail by two (4-2).
• As Kinney battled to keep the Saints off the bases in the circle, she helped spark a three-run inning with a lead-off walk in the fifth. Back-to-back doubles from Eth and Teagan Buckley widened the gap to 7-2. Emmanuel mustered up one hit in each of the final three opportunities as the Sharks earned the victory to advance to the GNAC Championship. 

Beyond The Box Score

• Simmons has now defeated Emmanuel in five straight contests, the longest win streak against the Saints since the Sharks held a seven game win streak from 2010-2013.
• Nevaeh Eth stepped up in a big way, recording her first career game with multiple hits and multiple RBIs.
• The No. 1N Sharks will play the No. 1S Falcons of Albertus Magnus next weekend on Daly Field.