NEWPORT, R.I. – Graduate student Justin Hurley struck out seven batters in six-plus innings of work in No. 4 Nichols College's 7-4 win over No. 1 seed Salve Regina University Thursday afternoon in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Baseball Playoffs at Reynolds Field.

The Bison (19-20-1) struck for five unearned runs in the fourth inning to build a 5-0 behind RBI singles from senior DJ Caron and sophomore Johnny Knox. Leading 5-1 in the fifth, sophomore Andrew Croteau collected an RBI single and Caron plated another on a fielders' choice to extend the lead to 7-1. Junior Will Kleinhenz went 4-for-5 and scored twice for the Bison.

Hurley allowed seven hits and four runs (three earned) while walking two over 6.1 IP to move to 5-5 on the season. Sophomore Jack Kabel recorded the second out of the sixth to earn a hold before senior Brendan Duffy fanned four in the final 2.1 innings to earn his first save.

The Bison (19-20-1) will now host No. 5 Western New England in an elimination game Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Nichols Baseball Field.