KISSIMMEE, Fla. (March 14) – The Nichols College softball team split its second day's games at the Rebel Spring Games Saturday, falling to Utica, 3-2, in the first game before topping Skidmore, 9-6, in the nightcap.

In the opening game, the Bison and Pioneers were tied, 2-2 from the top of the third on, and junior pitcher Lindsay Hassett (Oxford, Mass.) held Utica hitless from the third inning until the Pioneers won the game in the bottom of the seventh on a bases loaded, two-out single from shortstop Jackie Gallagher.

The Pioneers held a 2-0 lead after two on a Gallagher RBI single in the first and an RBI double from designated player Angel Donoghue in the second, but Nichols put up two in the top of the third during a two-out rally on four consecutive hits including an RBI double from Valeri Calcagni (Rocky Hill, Conn.) and an RBI single from Chelsea Correia (Seekonk, Mass.).

Hassett allowed six hits and three runs (two earned), while striking out one and walking three. Utica hurler Madison Dinsmore allowed 10 hits and fanned one.

In the nightcap, Skidmore took advantage of a two-out error to go ahead 6-5, in the fifth, but Amber Cottrell (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) hit a bases-loaded single in the sixth to tie things up in the bottom of the inning.

Pitcher Molly Ferraro (Millis, Mass.) retired the Thoroughbreds in order in the top of the sixth and then Nichols plated three runs in the bottom half of the frame, scoring the go-ahead run on a bases-loaded illegal pitch. Savannah Thibault (Marlborough, Mass.) and Lauren Correia (Seekonk, Mass.) led off the inning with consecutive singles before Robidoux walked to load the bases. All three advanced on the illegal pitch before Shayna Ramalho (Monroe, Conn.) sent Correia across on a sac fly, and Robidoux capped the scoring when she crossed on a passed ball.

Ferraro finished out the game by striking out three in the final frame, including fanning the final batter looking with a full count. She struck out four in the game while allowing 10 hits and six runs (five earned). Reliever Abby Furhman took the loss for the Thoroughbreds with four runs on six hits in 3.2 innings.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score