BIDDEFORD, Maine (4/28/24) – The Nichols College softball team wrapped up conference play with a doubleheader split at the University of New England on Sunday afternoon. The Bison bounced back from a 4-3 loss in game one to win the closer by a score of 3-1.
Nichols are now 21-17 (10-6 CCC) overall with two games remaining in the regular season, while UNE moves to 11-25 (6-10 CCC).
Junior infielder
Erin Gour had a solid day at the plate for the Bison, going 5-of-7 (.714) with two doubles and three RBI. Sophomore
Ava Slavinsky was also a standout with a combined three hits on the day, while fellow classmates
Bailey Littlefield and
Mary Jo-Laudati each chalked up two hits of their own.
Game #1
The Bison got off to a strong start in game one, building a 3-0 lead through the first two innings. The scoring started in the first frame when Gour doubled down the left field line, which scored Laudati all the way from first base. Then, in the second inning, the Bison repeated the scenario with Littlefield scoring on a double down the line by
Emily Iannuccilli, making it 2-0 Bison. Iannuccilli was afterwards delivered home on a base hit to left-center by Slavinsky, bringing the score to 3-0.
Despite turning a double play to put two outs on the board, UNE answered back in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI double into the right-center field gap, before adding a second run to their score in the fifth inning to make it a one-run ballgame at 3-2.
The Bison saw a chance to extend their lead in the top of the sixth but came up empty handed as UNE forced Nichols to leave two runners stranded. Then, following a one-two-three top of the seventh, the Nor'easters would flip the deficit as a two-run double gave the hosts the 4-3 win via walk-off.
Sophomore
Olivia Pedro worked through five innings as the starter for the Bison, allowing two runs while scattering seven hits. Freshman
Cassidy Machado (4-3) shouldered the loss, allowing two runs on two hits through 1.1 innings of relief.
Game #2
The Bison erased an early 1-0 deficit with two runs in the top of the third inning. With two outs, Slavinsky and Laudati each singled through the left side, while
Allie Silliman walked to load the bases. Gour then scored the both runs with a two-RBI single into right field, catapulting the Bison into the lead, 2-1.
The score would remain the same through scoreless fourth, fifth and sixth inning, with Nichols forcing UNE to leave five runners stranded.
The Bison added some insurance in the top of the seventh. With Laudati stationed at second base following a ground-rule double, Silliman increased the Bison lead to 3-1 with an RBI base hit into right field. Nichols then surrendered one final hit to the Nor'easters in the home half of the frame but retired the side before any damage could be dealt.
After taking the loss in game one, Machado (5-3) was the winning pitcher in game two after tossing five innings with one strikeout. Pedro was the reliever this time around, picking up her second save of the season following two innings of work, additionally striking out one batter.
Nichols will be back in action on Thursday, May 2
nd, closing out the regular season with a non-conference twin bill contest at Framingham State (17-14, 9-3 MASCAC). Game times are set for 3:00 and 5:00 PM at Maple Street Field.
