PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Norwich University softball team used a five-run second inning to upset No. 3 seed Simmons College 5-3 on Friday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Playoff action at Johnson & Wales' Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex.

Norwich (18-16) scored all five of its runs in a big second inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from sophomore Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.) en route to its first victory against Simmons (24-9) this season.

Junior pitcher Corinne Baita (Rochester, N.H.) continued her stellar season, going the distance on the mound giving up one earned run on seven hits and three walks while striking out six to earn her 13^th victory.

Baita didn't do herself any favors early as she loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first inning. However, the veteran bore down to get the next three hitters, including two by way of strikeouts to get out of the early jam.

Senior first baseman Erin Clark (Newbury, Vt.) opened the Cadets' big inning by working a leadoff walk. After Briana Day struck out, sophomore rightfielder Justina George (Wallingford, Conn.)  lofted a single down the left field line that put runners on first and second. Sophomore designated hitter Taylor Morris (Haverhill, N.H.) then doubled to score both Clark and George and give Norwich a 2-0 lead. Hershberger kept it going with a two-run blast over the left centerfield fence to increase the lead to 4-0.

Junior outfielder Kelly Travers (Whitman, Mass.) reached on a bunt single and then Payton Warner (Harwich, Mass.) also singled for her first of two hits on the day. Junior second baseman Melissa Rome (Enfield, Conn.) brought home Travers with a RBI single to cap Norwich's streak of six consecutive hits off Cordeiro. Rome's hit chased Cordeiro and Simmons brought in its ace Lauren Backhaus for the remainder of the game.

Simmons cut into the Norwich lead in the bottom of the third when Mikaela Caracciolo launched a home run over the fence for her second hit as part of her three-hit day to lead the Sharks offensively.  Hannah Cunningham also scored on the home run.

Simmons got another run back in the bottom of the sixth inning with Hannah Cunningham knocking a RBI single to score Backhaus and cut the lead to 5-3. However, that's as close as the Sharks would get as Baita shutdown Simmons the rest of the way.

Norwich advances to the GNAC Tournament Winner's Bracket Semifinal where it will meet Johnson & Wales at 4 p.m. on Friday. The winner of that game will advance to the winner's bracket championship to meet St. Joseph's Maine or Suffolk at 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Joe's Maine. The loser drops down into the elimination bracket and will meet the Univ. of St. Joseph (Conn.) at noon.

 -CADETS-