CAMBRIDGE – The Endicott softball team fell to Simmons, 7-5, in the NCAA Tournament – MIT Regional on Friday evening at Briggs Field.
WP (18-9): Maddie Castigliego (Bristol) – 3 1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
LP (3-2): Analise Grady (Reading) – 2/3 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Sharks rallied for a four-run frame to even up the score at 5-all on a pair of RBI singles, a sac fly to right field, and a triple.
Simmons claimed the lead for good in the sixth with a two-run double.
Meanwhile, Endicott broke open a 1-1 tie in the second when Christina Nowicki (Chelsea) laced an RBI double down the left field line to score Chrissy Marotto (Southington, Conn.).
Katie Watts (Swampscott, Mass.) also plated a run in the inning with a single to right center, before an Emma DaSilva (Bristol, R.I.) RBI single and an error at home (obstruction) on the same play capped the scoring for the Gulls in the fourth (5-1 lead).
Lauren Misiaszek (Londonderry, N.H.) opened up the scoring in the first with an RBI ground out.
Misiaszek finished the contest going 3-for-4 to become the program’s all-time hit leader (190).
She accomplished the feat in her last college at-bat with a single through the left side of the infield. In fact, all three hits were base knocks (third, fourth, sixth).
Endicott Hall of Famer Meghan Sargent Plath ’09 (Salisbury) held the previous school record.
Sargent Plath compiled 189 hits (533 at-bats) in 187 games from 2006-09, while Misiaszek bested the record in 33 less games and 57 fewer at-bats.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Gulls fell one victory shy of producing the third 40-win season in program history.
- Simmons will make its first-ever regional final appearance tomorrow against MIT.
WHAT’S NEXT
Endicott’s 2023 season comes to a close at 36-9 overall.
Simmons (27-15) will take on No. 16 nationally ranked MIT tomorrow at 9 AM. The Sharks will need to win two games to become regional champions.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit – Demetrius Kazanas ’22 M’23)
