By Nafeesa Connolly
Staff Writer
Simmons Softball opened their 2014 season on Sunday, March 9, with a 10-1 win against The Sage Colleges and a 7-3 loss against Haverford College at the Dot Richardson Spring Games in Clermont, Fla., where the team traveled to for spring break.
In game one against Sage, the Sharks gained a 3-0 lead in the first inning with junior Hannah Cunningham, while junior Jess Uschmann hit a single to center field to drive in runs from sophomore Mikaela Caracciolo and senior Christina Mulcahy.
During the fourth inning, Caracciolo hit a single to center field and brought home junior Jen Field, followed by a single from Mulcahy, which brought in Caracciolo for a 5-1 score. In the fifth inning, the Sharks earned another five runs.
The Sharks earned only three runs in the first inning of game two against Haverford from H. Cunningham, senior Emily Cunningham, and Caracciolo. The Sharks currently hold a 7-3 record (please note Tuesday’s game results were not available at time of print).
Last season, the team stood at 22-13 and was defeated in the first round of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament by the University of Saint Joseph, 3-1, according to Simmons Athletics.
The team added ten new members this year, welcoming Kat Guillotte, MacKenzie Hayman, Janyne Sierra, Alison Gauvin, Emma D’Arpino, Danielle LeBlanc, Tanya Stasio, Katie Nosky, Carolyn Footer, and Brianna Rastello. The Simmons Athletics website shared that the first-years bring talent in multiple positions and a burst of new energy and enthusiasm to the team.
The roster welcomes back three sophomores: Caracciolo, Heather White, and Amy Maher; seven juniors: 2013 GNAC All-Conference First Team pitcher Lauren Backhaus, Amanda Cordeiro, H. Cunningham, Alaina DeNoncour, Jen Field, Victoria Luongo, and Jess Uschmann; and two seniors: E. Cunningham and Mulcahy.
“The team is looking great this year. We come to practice everyday with so much enthusiasm and energy. I can’t wait until we start playing GNAC games. I am so thankful that I get to play my senior year with this group,” said E. Cunningham.
According to Simmons Athletics, Cunningham and Mulcahy will anchor the infield and outfield, while the strong junior class will bring depth and composure.
“There’s been something unique and special about this squad since we first started practicing in the fall. They love to compete and the energy they bring to practice each and every day is fun to watch. They’re a committed group who knows where they want to go and they know what they need to do to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. We’re excited to get outside, play some games and see all of their hard work pay off,” said Head Coach Anne (Hennigan) Forsythe in an article on the Simmons Athletics website.
The Sharks will prepare this upcoming week for their first GNAC match-up against Albertus Magnus College next Friday, March 28, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
