NORTHFIELD, Vt. — The Norwich University softball team opened its home slate on Sunday afternoon, falling in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Division doubleheader to Simmons, 7-0 and 16-3.

Game 1: Simmons 7, Norwich 0
The opener featured a strong pitching matchup between Norwich's Madison DeCota (Strafford, N.H.) and two-time reigning GNAC Pitcher of the Year Piper Kinney of Simmons.

Both pitchers kept things quiet early before the Sharks broke through, scoring runs in the second, third, and fourth innings to take control. Kinney limited the Cadets offensively, holding Norwich scoreless to secure the win.

DeCota led the Norwich offense with a double, while Jessica Zalucki (Burnt Hills, N.Y.), Josephine Whitney (Holbrook, Mass.), and Ellie Laroche (Essex, Vt.) each recorded hits.

Game 2: Simmons 16, Norwich 3
Simmons carried its offensive momentum into the second game, building a decisive lead through the first three innings.

Norwich got on the board in the early going when Courtney Thomas (Strafford, N.H.) delivered an RBI single to bring home DeCota.

The Sharks continued to add on, but the Cadets answered with a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Emily Munson (Angleton, Texas) brought Zalucki home on a fielder's choice before Thomas drove in DeCota for her second RBI of the game.

Zalucki led Norwich at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with a run scored, while Thomas finished with two RBIs.

Norwich remains at home on April 2, hosting Vermont State Castleton in a GNAC twin bill beginning at 3 p.m.