UNION — Rivals for four years, former Vienna Lady Eagle softball pitcher Abrea Simmons and Belle Lady Tiger infielder Ryleigh Long have been teammates the past two springs for the East Central College (ECC) Lady Falcon Softball team.

Last Wednesday afternoon on sophomore day, ECC softball hosted the John Wood Community College (JWCC) Lady Trailblazers for a doubleheader on the ECC campus.

Game one of the twin bill saw Simmons get the start in the pitching circle while Long occupied the second-base bag for Grant Young’s Lady Falcons.

“It’s been a great first year as head coach of (ECC) Lady Falcon softball,” Young said. “Ryleigh and Abrea have been great leaders for us so far this season and hopefully they can extend that out come regionals and beyond.”

ECC wound up sweeping the doubleheader taking game one 11-7 and game two 10-2.

Simmons retired the Lady Trailblazers in order during the top half of the first inning setting the table for the Lady Falcon offense in the bottom half of the first inning.

Already leading 2-0 with one out in the bottom of the first, Long doubled ECC’s run total with one swing on a two-run home run over the right-center field fence capping a four-run frame for the Lady Falcons.

“She’s truly amazing, she’s a great player,” Simmons said of Long.

Long shared one pitch in particular that she’s happy she doesn’t have to hit from Simmons.

“It’s fantastic,” Long said of Simmons. “I love not having to hit off of her change up. I love having her in the circle because I know how lethal her pitching can be.”

Two ECC throwing errors got JWCC on the board in the top of the second.

Those only cost the Lady Falcons one run as they took a 4-1 lead after two innings.

Pitching around a one-out single in the top of the third inning, Simmons gave her Lady Falcon offense a chance to get the run back they allowed in the top of the second inning.

With two runners on base ahead of her, Long once again stepped to the plate looking to do damage.

This time, Long blasted a three-run shot over the left-center field fence giving ECC a 7-1 lead through three innings.

“Ryleigh had a great sophomore day hitting two bombs,” Young said. “She’s been doing really great hitting for us this year.”

Making the long trek to Union from Quincy, Ill., JWCC battled their way back into the game with four runs in the top of the fourth inning cutting ECC’s lead to 7-5 at the midway point of game one.

With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Long came up for her third plate appearance of the game with the bases loaded.

Even though she did not make it three home runs in three at bats, Long added a two-RBI single giving the Lady Falcons a 9-5 lead through four innings.

“I went into my third at bat calm, cool and collected and got the job done,” Long said.

ECC plated another insurance tally in the bottom of the fifth before Long walked and scored the final run for the Lady Falcons in the bottom of the sixth inning in game one.

“It feels great, I had a great defense behind me and a great offense giving my run support,” Simmons said.

Earning the victory in game one, Simmons pitched six and a third innings allowing seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits and one walk to go with five strikeouts.

“Abrea has been phenomenal in the circle for us this year,” Young said. “

Long had a day at the plate going 3-3 with two home runs, seven RBIs, three runs scored and a walk.

“It feels so surreal that my softball career is coming to and end,” Long said. “I was glad to tack a couple more home runs on to my stats and just really enjoy the game that I love  without really having any pressure on me at all.”

During ECC’s 10-2 victory in game two, Long went 1-4 with a single from the fifth spot in the lineup.