BEVERLY, Mass. (5/9/24) – Nichols College softball's season came to a close Thursday afternoon after falling to fifth-seeded Roger Williams University, 3-0 in an elimination game on the second day of the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament.

Prior to their season-ending setback to the Hawks, the Bison held on for a stunning upset victory over top-seeded host Endicott College, winning by a score of 2-1.

The Bison finish out the year with a 24-20 (10-6 CCC) overall record. The game one victory over the Gulls comes as just the fourth all-time in program history, and the first since April of 2023. Additionally, the team's 24 wins on the season marks 2024 as the winningest season for the Bison since the 2008 campain. 

Junior infielder Erin Gour went 2-for-6 (.333) at the plate for Nichols, as did sophomores Allie Silliman and Ava Slavinsky. Gour was the lone player for the Bison to record an RBI, while the second run of the day was scored by sophomore catcher Bailey Littlefield. Defensively, the Bison tied their program record for most double plays in a single game, recording three against the Gulls.

Game #1: vs No. 1 Endicott College

The Bison opened with three hits in the first inning, scoring the games first run on a two-out RBI double to the left-center field fence by Erin Gour. The game then went scoreless through the next two innings as neither team registered a hit.

Endicott responded to tie the ballgame in the top of the fourth, scoring their first run of the afternoon on an RBI fielder's choice. However, the tie would be short lived, as Bailey Littlefield led off the fifth inning with a double to center field. After advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt, Littlefield made her way home on a fly-out to right by Slavinsky and was ruled safe on catcher interference.  

The Bison defense took care of the rest, retiring the remaining six Endicott batters en route to the 2-1 upset victory.

In the circle, sophomore Olivia Pedro (8-8) limited the Gulls to just one run on three hits, tossing a full seven innings for her 7^th complete game of the season.
 
Game #2: vs No. 5 Roger Williams University
 
Roger Williams jumped out to an early lead, producing a run in the bottom of the first inning with a scoring double. The second and third innings proved to be a defensive battle, with the next six batters for both teams being retired in order.
 
The Hawks returned for two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, both of which scored after the batter reached first on a muffed throw with runners at second and third. As a result, the Bison found themselves now trailing the Hawks 3-0.
 
The Bison threatened to score in the top of the sixth inning. Following a leadoff walk to senior pinch-hitter Mackenzie Jackson, Slavisnky singled through the left side to put runners at first and second. Two batters later, Silliman made contact for her own base hit, this time up the middle, to load the bases for the Bison with one out. However, Roger Williams would eventually escape the jam, securing the two outs needed before any damage could be dealt.

The Hawks went on to retire the top of the seventh, winning the game by a 3-0 shutout.
 
Junior Chelsea Indyk (10-7) was charged with the loss for Nichols, allowing just three runs on three hits, with only one of them earned. She walked one and struck out five.