The Monks sweep Simmons Sharks at home by David Field

Standish-With the GNAC top spots all in contention, the Monks and Simmons Sharks battled it out on Sunday, April 21 with Saint Joseph’s College taking both games.  Prior to the games, St. Joe’s honored their four seniors: Danyelle Shufelt, Kayla Vannah, Heather Tripp and Danielle Leavitt.  

The Monks wasted little time in the first game as leadoff hitter Danielle Shufelt hit a single.  Connie Grovo sacrificed her to second.  Lindsey Moore came to bat and flew out to shortstop.  Heather Tripp then crushed a shot over left fielder Jen Field’s head to knock Shufelt in.  

In the third, Simmons’ Calin Pagel batted a single and eventually scored on an error by pitcher Kayla Vannah.  St. Joe’s quickly quieted the hungry sharks by turning a double play to get out of the inning.  

The Monks then answered in the fourth when Theresa Hendrix took advantage of a dropped third strike and reached first base.  Melissa Mayhew hit a single to put two on.  Danielle Leavitt hit a ground out that scored Hendrix and left Leavitt at second. 

Simmons didn’t give up.  In the top of the seventh inning, Alaina DeNoncour crushed a home run to tie the game.  The Monks quickly put the feisty visitors down and picked up their bats.  However, Simmons retired the first two batters.  Danyelle Shufelt hit her second base hit of the day and stole second.  Connie Grovo then hit a bloop single behind pitcher Lauren Backhaus.  Shufelt ran for all she was worth and scored the winning run.  

Game two saw the Monks stifle the Sharks and win 2-0.  In the third, Danyelle Shufelt reached base on an error by the Shark’s right fielder.  She would score her third run of the day to give St. Joe’s the lead.  In the top of the sixth, Heather Tripp answered with some insurance by crushing a home run to seal the deal for the Monks.