Softball Stays Hot, Sweeps Sharks Again; 7-2 & 7-0

BOSTON, Mass.- Emmanuel College completed the four-game season sweep against Simmons University on Sunday afternoon at Roberto Clemente field by topping the Sharks in both games of a non-conference doubleheader, 7-2 & 7-0. The Saints improved to 9-3 to match the best start in program-history and extended their winning streak to eight games.

The Basics 

Score: 
Emmanuel College, 7; Simmons University, 1
Emmanuel College, 7; Simmons University, 0

Records:
Emmanuel College Saints (9-3, 2-0 GNAC)
Simmons University Sharks (0-4)

Location: Boston, Mass.- Roberto Clemente Field
Date: Sunday, April 11, 2021

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 1) 

• A two-run first inning got things started for the Saints when junior Kiana Hinson (Whittier, Calif.) doubled and scored first year Olivia Conti (Cranston, R.I.). Hinson eventually came around to score off an errant throw during sophomore Maegan Amsler's (Hanover, Mass.) single.
• The Saints never looked back after the 1st and EC senior Megan Long (Greenville, R.I.) was in control on the hill allowing only one earned run in her complete game outing.
• Conti doubled in the 5th and scored junior Renae Locroix (Cumberland, R.I) to lift the lead to 3-1.
• A four-run sixth inning was more than enough insurance as the Saints rally saw Lacroix score on a double by Conti. Senior Emily Blanchard (Sturbridge, Mass.), sophomore Julyanne Pacheco (Somerset, Mass.), and sophomore Jadynne Hill (Haverhill, Mass.) all scored on Simmons miscues and the Sharks would not recover from the deficit.
• A two-out single by Simmons sophomore Adlyn Hernandez (Miami, Fla.) scored sophomore Sam Barr (Harwich, Mass.) in the seventh and concluded the scoring for the game. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Seven different runners scored for the Saints in their victory over the Sharks.
• Emmanuel is averaging 6.8 runs per game scored through their seven consecutive wins.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 2) 

• It was all EC from the jump as a first inning three-spot by the visiting Saints allowed them to gain an early edge. Conti and Hinson both scored on a pair of Sharks mistakes in the field while sophomore pitcher Tianna Dawe (Lynn, Mass.) tripled to right driving in Amsler to make it 3-0.
• Emmanuel never looked back and added to their lead again in the second with three more runs. Lacroix drove in Pacheco and Hill with a double to left. Lacroix came around to score off a single to right from Amsler.
• The Simmons bats were quiet all game due to a stellar pitching performance from Dawe. The sophomore closed the door with her first career complete game shutout with 0 earned runs and five strikeouts, allowing just two hits in the win to improve to 4-2 on the year.
• The Saints finished their scoring for the day in the sixth when Pacheco doubled to center and drove in Blanchard to account for the 7-0 final as Dawe made the lead hold.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Dawe led the Saints to their first shoutout of the season, tossing a complete game.
• The Saints offense accumulated for nine total hits, eight of which came from different batters.

UP NEXT

• Emmanuel returns to action on Saturday, April 17 for a GNAC doubleheader vs. Rivier University. The Saints host the Raiders with first-pitch scheduled for 3:00 PM.
• Simmons looks to bounce back the same day, traveling to Paxton, MA to take on Anna Maria College at 12:00 and 2:00 PM.

*Written by EC Athletic Communications Correspondent Thomas Sullivan '24