Castleton, Vt.—Senior second baseman
Noelle Simmons (Goffstown, N.H.) went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored to lead No. 5 Rhode Island College past No. 6 UMass Boston, 4-3, in game seven of the 2026 Little East Softball Championship, hosted by VTSU Castleton on Saturday morning.
THE BASICS
No. 5 Rhode Island College 4, No. 6 UMass Boston 3
Rhode Island College (27-12)
UMass Boston (27-12)
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Simmons and classmate center fielder
Sophia Crudale (Cranston, R.I.), as well as sophomore shortstop
Joey Meyer (South Milwaukee, Wis.), notched back-to-back-to-back RBI base knocks to put RIC ahead, 3-0, in the bottom of the fifth frame.
• However, the Beacons answered right back in the top half of the sixth with a two-run homer to cut their deficit down to one, 3-2.
• UMB then committed a costly error with two outs in the bottom of the sixth as the Anchorwomen were able to capitalize and plate what proved to be the deciding run.
• Junior right fielder
Sydney Duclos (North Providence, R.I.) went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
• Freshman pitcher
Mia Crudale (Cranston, R.I.) struck out 10 to earn her second win of the tournament.
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play vs. a TBD opponent in game 10 (championship game) of the 2026 Little East Softball Championship on Sunday, May 10 (10 a.m.).
