BRIGHTON, Mass. — The Saint Joseph's College Monks (16-22, 10-6 GNAC) split a conference doubleheader at Simmons College (18-20, 10-6 GNAC) on Monday evening at Daly Field, dropping the opener 8-3 before bouncing back with a decisive 12-3 victory in Game Two.
Game 1: Simmons 8, Saint Joseph's 3
Simmons set the tone early in the opener, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. The Sharks tacked on a run in the second and three more in the fourth to break the game open.
Despite recording nine hits, the Monks couldn't find the timely knocks they needed. Charlotte Cloutier (Lewiston, ME) gave St. Joseph's a late spark with a two-run double down the left field line in the seventh, scoring Clara Christiansen (Franklin, ME) and Paige Connery (Tyngsboro, MA), but the rally came up short.
Chantelle Bouchard (Biddeford, ME) went 2-for-4 with a double and scored a run, while Connery added two hits, including a double. Abby Carpenter (Bath, ME) also chipped in with a pair of singles.
Madison Pelletier (New Gloucester, ME) took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in just one inning. Rylee Page (Somersworth, NH) turned in a solid relief effort, giving up three runs over six innings.
Simmons starter Piper Kinney (12-9) went the distance, scattering nine hits to pick up the win. The Sharks' offense tallied 16 hits with five players recording multi-hit games.
Game 2: Monks 12, Sharks 3 (5 innings)
The Monks' offense came alive in the nightcap, powering past Simmons with a 12-3, mercy-rule win in five innings. Sophomore Miranda Northrup (Whitefield, ME) was sharp in the circle, tossing a complete game.
St. Joseph wasted no time getting on the board, plating three runs in the first inning and building momentum with four more in the second and five in the fourth.
Madison Pelletier led the way at the plate, finishing with a double and five RBIs. Sylvia Foley (Scarborough, ME) also had a big game, going 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs, while Charlotte Cloutier chipped in with a two-run single in the fourth to put the Monks firmly in control.
The Monks collected nine hits overall and showed great patience at the plate, drawing seven walks. Six different players recorded at least one hit in a balanced offensive effort.
Simmons tallied five hits against Northrup, scoring twice in the first and adding an unearned run in the fifth, but couldn't mount a comeback.
Chantelle Bouchard and Sadie Tirrell (Naples, ME) each scored twice and reached base multiple times to set the tone at the top of the lineup, while Abby Carpenter added a double and drove in a run.
