Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Mar. 9) – The Nichols College softball team opened the 2012 campaign under sunny skies at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., Friday. A three-run sixth inning gave Newbury a 3-2 victory over the Bison in the day's opening game, while Wheaton (Ill.) used a dominant pitching performance to deal the Bison a 4-0 loss.

Lauren Correia set the tone by leading off the first game with a triple, and coming around to score on an Emalee Watkins  knock. Watkins scored the Bison's other run with a two-out fly ball to center by Savannah Thibault that was misplayed.

Nichols led until the sixth when Newbury produced three runs on three hits and an error. With the bases loaded, Katie Haney doubled to plate two runs, but a dramatic throw by Rachel Dalrymple in right field to catcher Chelsea Correia caught Julia Flamenco at the plate. Tied, 2-2, Nicole Cuneo doubled to plate Haney and give the Nighthawks the lead.

Molly Ferraro  took the loss despite striking out seven and allowing three hits. She fanned the side in the second inning and had a no-hitter going through the fifth inning.  Rebecca Roach earned the win, allowing four runs (two earned) while striking out six.

In the second game, Wheaton hurler Danielle Schmidt had a no-hitter going until the sixth inning when Dalrymple and Watkins strung together back-to-back hits. Schmidt held the Bison to just six baserunners in the game, with Nichols' best scoring opportunity coming in the top of the first as they loaded the bases with two outs, but ended the inning on an infield pop-out.

The Thunder, however, got one aboard in the second with two outs on back-to-back doubles before stringing together four-straight hits in the fifth for the four-run lead. Jessika Russi laced a double to score Jenna Lawrenz and Jessica Goeke, who led off the frame with singles and stolen bases. Sarah Hammitt plated the final run with a single before getting tagged out at second.

Bison pitcher Taylor Ferrazzi demonstrated poise in her collegiate debut despite being tagged for 11 hits. Schmidt struck out nine in the two-hit shutout win.

Nichols continues action at the Gene Cusic Classic on Saturday, facing neighboring competitors Mitchell and MCLA.


Newbury Box Score

Wheaton Box Score