DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols baseball team dropped a 5-4 decision in extra innings to non-conference opponent Lasell on Wednesday afternoon. With the loss, the Bison fall to 14-19 (8-4 CCC) on the season, while Lasell improves to 19-14 (12-4 GNAC).
 
After the Lasers picked up a run in the first, Bison starter Sean Ryan settled in nicely, keeping the game 1-0 through four and a half innings. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, an Andrew Croteau single followed by a hit-by-pitch put two on for Jim Marasco. The senior third baseman came up clutch again for the Bison, launching a three-run home run to left field to give Nichols the 3-1 lead.
 
Lasell answered right back in the sixth, tying the score with two hits, a walk, and an error. In the bottom half of the inning, Nichols grabbed the lead back on an RBI knock from Luis Vargas to make it 4-3. The back and forth continued in the seventh as the Lasers knotted things up at four with a two-out single to right. The Bison loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, but Lasell escaped the jam to send the game into extras.
 
The Lasers led off the top of the tenth with a base hit before a sac bunt moved the runner into scoring position. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases before a sacrifice fly brought the run home, giving Lasell a 5-4 lead. That would be all the Lasers needed as Nichols was retired in order in the bottom of the tenth.
 
Johnny Knox and Brennan Hyde each picked up two hits for the Bison, both of Hyde's being doubles. Croteau added three singles of his own to lead the Nichols offense. Ryan got through five innings on the mound, allowing three runs (two earned) and striking out four.
 
The Bison turn their attention back to Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play on Saturday, April 29 for senior day against Roger Williams. The first pitch is slated for 11:30 a.m.