BRIGHTON, Mass. – Simmons softball (5-6-1) dropped a non-conference doubleheader to Brandeis University (8-2), Sunday afternoon. The Judges won the first game, 3-1, then edged out the Sharks with a come-from-behind win in extra innings in game two.

GAME 1: Brandeis 3, Simmons 1

Brandeis jumped on Simmons' starter Maddie Castigliego, pushing across two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Rhode Island native retired Haley Nash and Alex Cohen on strikes to minimize the damage for the Sharks.

The Judges added to their lead two innings later, pushing across a run in the top of the third to increase the lead, 3-0.  But solid defense and a seven-strikeout performance by Castigliego for the second time this season, kept the Sharks in the ballgame. 

In the top of the fourth inning, after a leadoff single into centerfield, Brandeis looked poise to add to its lead. But Jamie Pippin lined out to junior Kylie Collins at second, who fired on to first to eliminate Amidori Anderson for the second out.

Simmons was able to get to Brandeis pitching in the bottom of sixth. Senior Allie Mulhern reached on an error by Judge pitcher Alex Cohen. After swiping second, Mulhern advanced to on a single into leftfield off the bat of senior Shannon McMahon.

With runners at the corners and two outs, McMahon was caught attempting to steal second, but stayed in the rundown long enough to Mulhern to score to cut the deficit to 3-1. But it was all the Sharks were able to get as Cohen retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth.

GAME 2: Brandeis 3, Simmons 2 – 8 innings

In the second game of the twin-bill, the Sharks scored early with some two-out hitting in the bottom of the second. After senior Emma Thacher ripped a two-out single into centerfield, junior Sam Barr launched her first collegiate career homerun over the right-centerfield fence to put the Sharks up 2-0.

It appeared as though it was going to be more than enough for Castigliego who retired the next seven batters she faced. However, the Judges were able string together two-out hits and take advantage of Shark miscue and plate a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to tie up the ballgame at 2-2.

Simmons threatened to re-gain the lead in the home half of the fifth. Barr opened the inning with a single down the left field line, forcing game two starter Madeline Gorey from the game. Despite advancing two bags on back-to-back sacrifice bunts, the Sharks were unable to bring Barr home.

Both teams stranded a runner in the sixth and went in order in the seventh to bring on extra innings. In the top of the eighth, the Judges were able to bring around pinch runner Tara Striggo from second with a one-out double into left-center to take a 3-2 lead. However, the Sharks were unable to do the same in the home half.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Senior right-hander Maddie Castigliego fanned seven opposing batters for the second time this season in game one – tossing a complete game allowing three runs on seven hits.
• Castigliego finished the day with 11 strikeouts – retiring four on strikes in game two.
• Junior Sam Barr went 2-for-3 in game two, including launching her first career homerun in the bottom of the second.
• Senior Shannon McMahon went 2-for-3 in game one.

GAME NOTES

• Simmons drops to 3-6 all-time against Brandeis. 

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the diamond on Wednesday, March 23, hosting Eastern Nazarene for two at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.