BOSTON – On opening night of Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play, the Emmanuel College softball team swept Colleges of the Fenway partner and neighboring Simmons University in a Friday doubleheader at Roberto Clemente Field. The Saints took game one with an 8-5 win before rolling to a 12-4 run-rule victory (5 innings) in game two.

The sweep snaps an eight-game skid for Emmanuel, improving the Saints to 4-18 overall and 2-0 in GNAC play. Simmons, who came into the doubleheader on a four-game win streak, drops to 10-15 overall and 2-2 in conference action.

GAME ONE: Emmanuel 8 – Simmons 5
Despite combining for five hits and stranding six runners over the first two innings, both teams remained scoreless early. Emmanuel broke through in the bottom of the third when first-year Molly Carnes reached second on a Simmons error in centerfield, putting her in scoring position for junior Emely Rodriguez to send a line drive over the centerfield fence for a 2-0 Saints lead. The blast marked Rodriguez's second career home run and her first since the 2023 season.

Simmons cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth with a solo home run from first-year Zoe Soule, her second of the season, but couldn't add to their total any further. Emmanuel quickly responded in the bottom half, when sophomore Francesca Pizzarella doubled to right-center to drive in first-year Grace Garon and regain the Saints' two-run lead at 3-1.

The Saints tacked on another pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Rodriguez stepped up again, driving in her third run of the game with a double. Senior Madison Marks later added a run on a base hit to give the hosts a 5-1 cushion. 

After the Sharks cut the lead to two once again, Emmanuel responded in the bottom of the sixth with patience at the plate. The Saints sparked a two-out rally with a single, an error, and a walk. Back-to-back bases-loaded walks brought in two runs, and senior Abigail Farr followed with an RBI single to push the advantage to 8-3. Simmons threatened in the top of the seventh, but could only push two runs across as Emmanuel earned an 8-5 game one victory.

Marks earned the win for the Saints, going the distance in the circle while adding hit and a pair of RBI at the plate. Rodriguez led the Emmanuel offense, finishing game one 2-for-3 with a double, home run, and three RBI. Soule finished 3-for-3 for Simmons with a home run and two RBI in the loss.

GAME TWO: Emmanuel 12 – Simmons 4 (Final/5)
A leadoff double from Simmons junior Emily Deleault put the Sharks in business early. Junior Teagan Buckley later brought Deleault across with a sacrifice fly to give the visitors an early 1-0 edge.

After going down quietly in the first two innings, Emmanuel's offense exploded in the third with a five-run outburst. Two walks and double loaded the bases with one out, and it was Pizzarella who stepped in to draw another free pass and tie the game at one. Sophomore Mia Fernandes followed, driving in a second run on a putout before Carnes blasted a triple to add two more. Senior Taylor Chelak finished off the inning's scoring with a base hit to put the Saints in front 5-1.

Emmanuel added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, taking advantage of a wild pitch and an infield error to extend the lead to 7-1. Simmons battled back in the top of the sixth, with Soule driving in two runs and junior Trinity Payne adding an RBI single to trim the deficit to 7-4.

The Saints ultimately put the game to bed in the bottom of the fifth with another five-run inning. Emmanuel plated three runs on wild pitches, then scored on a Simmons error and an RBI single from Mia Fernandes to bring in two more, securing a 12-4 run-rule victory in five innings.

First-year Lauren Peers earned her second career win for the Saints, going all five innings and allowing just one earned run. Carnes finished 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI, while Chelak added two singles and an RBI in the victory. For the Sharks, Deleault and junior Ally Hyde each recorded two hits in the loss.

UP NEXT
The Saints return to Roberto Clemente Field for more GNAC competition in a doubleheader with Norwich beginning at 1:30 on Sunday (4/6). Simmons returns home, facing a visit from Johnson & Wales in conference play on Sunday at noon.