DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols softball team swept non-conference opponent UMass Boston in a Thursday afternoon doubleheader, taking the first game 2-1, before cruising to a game two victory 10-1 in five innings. The Bison finish the regular season with a 21-18-1 (9-9 CCC) record, their first 20-win season since 2006, while UMass Boston falls to 19-18 (5-9 LEC).
 
Next up for Nichols is the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament, beginning on Wednesday, May 10. The time, location, and opponent are TBA.
 
Nichols 2, UMass Boston 1
 
The Bison jumped out to an early lead with a two-out rally as Mackenzie Jackson singled and advanced to second on an error by the left fielder. Freshman Bailey Littlefield followed Jackson with a base knock of her own to give Nichols the 1-0 lead. Both offenses were held in check over the next four innings, as starting pitcher Chelsea Indyk breezed through the Beacons lineup.
 
Sophomore Chloe Steiniger led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left center, later advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt. Steiniger came around to score on a fielders choice, extending the Nichols lead to two. UMass Boston finally broke through in the top of the sixth as a two-out hit scored a run, but the tying run was cut down at the plate on a nice relay by center fielder Emma West-Testo and first baseman Allie Silliman. The Beacons got a runner on in the top of the seventh, but a sac bunt and a flyout ended the game, giving Nichols their 20th win of the campaign.
 
Indyk received her eighth win of the year in the complete-game effort, allowing just five hits while striking out seven. Steiniger went 2-3 at the plate, including the double, while West-Testo reached base twice, picking up one hit and working a walk.
 
Nichols 10, UMass Boston 1
 
UMass Boston struck first with a two-out RBI single in the top of the first to make it 1-0. The Bison would respond in a big way, as the first four batters of the inning all reach first on a bunt, leading to one run. With no outs and the bases loaded, Steiniger continued her solid day at the plate, roping a double down the left field line to clear the bases and give Nichols the 4-1 lead. Silliman kept the line moving as she singled up the middle to score Steiniger and make it 5-1. Later in the inning, a two-RBI single from Brianna Sulikowski extended the first-inning lead to 7-1.
 
Nichols continued their hot start in the second inning as another double by Steiniger plated Ava Slavinsky, and Silliman knocked in Jackson with a sac fly to make it a 9-1 ballgame. After a scoreless third, the Bison added another run in the bottom of the fourth on a wild pitch. The Beacons put two runners on base in the fifth but starting pitcher Olivia Pedro recorded the final out of the game, putting the run-rule in effect and giving Nichols the win.
 
Jackson and Steiniger led the Bison offense, each picking up two hits, including two doubles and four RBI from Steiniger. Silliman reached base safely in all three plate appearances, while also knocking in two runs. Pedro was credited with her 11th win of the season, allowing only three hits and one earned run. The win gave head coach Caitlin Hitchcock the 300th of her career.