FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (5/2/24) – In their final matchup of the regular season, the Nichols College softball team split a non-conference doubleheader at Framingham State University on Thursday afternoon. The Bison took game one by a 3-2 final score, but fell 4-3 in game two at Maple Street Field.

Nichols finishes out the regular season with a 22-18 (10-6 CCC) record, while Framingham State moves to 18-17 (9-3 MASCAC) overall.

Junior Erin Gour led the way offensively for the Bison, going 3-for-8 on the afternoon with two doubles and three RBI. The day also included a major milestone for the junior infielder, as her performance helped her eclipse 100 career hits. Senior Lilly Fangel additionally put together a standout day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with one run scored. Sophomore Mary Jo-Laudati also finished the effort with three hits, including a career-best two in the opening contest.

Game 1: Nichols 3, Framingham State 2

Nichols gained control early by jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning. After drawing a walk to get things started for the Bison, sophomore Mary Jo-Laudati rounded second to score as a result of a Framingham State error, while classmate Allie Silliman reached on a fielder's choice to claim the RBI. Junior Erin Gour then delivered Silliman home with an RBI double to right field, giving the Bison a 2-0 advantage. 

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Bison would strengthen their lead with an RBI single from sophomore Bailey Littlefield, which scored Chloe Steiniger from second to make it 3-0 Nichols in the fourth. However, the Rams would shave the Bison lead down to just one run with a single run in the bottom half of the frame, with both runs scoring on a single through the left side.

Both teams held each other scoreless the rest of the game, with Nichols outhitting the Rams by a 4-1 margin.

Sophomore Olivia Pedro (7-8) secured the win for Nichols after striking out three batters through four innings of work. In relief of Pedro, freshman Cassidy Machado picked up her first collegiate save, allowing just one hit through three innings.  

Game 2: Nichols 3, Framingham State 4

As they had done in game one, the Bison took an early 2-0 run in the top of the first inning, scoring runs off a Gour RBI ground-out and a Steiniger RBI single to center. However, the Rams were quick to respond this time around, as a two RBI double in the bottom of the frame tied the score at 2-2.

Following a scoreless second inning, Framingham State took its first lead of the afternoon via an RBI base hit, making it 3-2. The Rams later added another run to the board to make it 4-2 in the fourth inning, which scored on a sacrifice fly-out to center. From there, the Ram lead would hold through a scoreless fifth and sixth inning, with both sides recording two hits.

With two outs and nobody on in the top of the seventh, Silliman doubled for her second hit of the day. Directly after, Gour belted her second triple of the season to score Silliman from second, cutting the deficit down to 4-3 while putting the tying run in scoring position. Despite this, the Rams would shut down the Bison rally with an infield groundout, resulting in a 4-3 win for the hosts.

Machado started and took the loss in the circle for Nichols, allowing four runs on seven hits across her full seven innings of work.  

The Bison await the official layout of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament, which will take place from May 7^th through the 12^th with host locations, matchups and game times yet to be determined.