Softball takes split from Brandeis
Filed under Athletics, Softball
Posted by , March 27, 2008
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Softball takes split from Brandeis
The Simmons College softball team took a well earned split from Brandeis on Wednesday afternoon in Waltham. After a tough 6-3 loss in the opener the Sharks bounced back in the nightcap to take a 9-3 decision.
The Sharks got off to a rocky start as starter Kelsey Hasick was touched up for four runs in the second inning, and two more in the third, but senior Natalie West came on to throw two stellar innings of relief.
In the sixth the bats started to awaken as freshman Dannie Szabo doubled home classmate Emily Nalband for the Sharks first run of the contest.
In the seventh, it was Nalband’s turn as she doubled in a pair of runs with two outs to cut the deficit to 6-3, but Brandeis starter Kaitlin Streilein got the final out of the game to preserve the victory.
Nalband finished the opener with three hits, while Szabo added two for the Sharks.
In the nightcap Simmons wasted no time getting on the board as Natalie West triggered what would become a big day with an RBI single that scored junior Kristen Souza, who had reached third thanks to a double from senior Ann Talarico earlier in the inning.
Brandeis answered with a run in the second thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Streilein to tie the game.
In the third inning the Sharks went to work again as Nalband led off with a single and moved into scoring position thanks to another hit from Talarico.
Szabo followed with a clutch two out RBI double to give the Sharks back the lead.
West the came through with an opposite field blast that cleared the right center field fence for a two run homer, and chased the Brandeis starter in favor of Streilein.
Simmons starter Sammi Letizio was stellar through the middle innings, but Brandeis was able to take advantage of some Sharks defensive miscues to push two across in the bottom of the sixth and the cut the deficit to 4-3.
Simmons got plenty of breathing room in the seventh as Nalband got the rally started with a one out single, followed by a walk from Meredith Burr. Talarico, who was 3-3 on the day was also walked.
With the bases loaded Szabo came through again with an RBI single to give the Sharks an important insurance run.
West then followed with even more insurance, as she connected on her second home run of the day this time a grand slam that gave the Sharks a 9-3 lead.
Letizio got the final three outs, to give the Sharks their first New England win of the season.
West finished the day with three hits and seven RBI while Szabo added three hits and two RBI. Nalband had two more hits. Letizio scattered seven hits allowing just one earned run while striking out seven to earn the victory.
