DUDLEY, Mass. (4/27/2025) – On Senior Day and in their 2025 Conference of New England (CNE) regular season finale, the Nichols College softball team earned a split against Roger Williams University, falling in game one 3-1 before rallying for a thrilling 3-2 extra-innings victory in game two.
Prior to first pitch, the Bison honored their senior class: Emma West-Testo, Erin Gour, Chloe Steiniger, Chelsea Indyk, and Shelby Eason.
The split moves Nichols to 27-11 overall (12-6 CNE) on the season.
Game 1: Roger Williams 3, Nichols 1
Both teams traded runs in the first inning, with Nichols' run coming on an RBI single from Chloe Steiniger that plated leadoff hitter Ava Slavinsky.
The 1-1 tie held until the sixth inning when Roger Williams struck with a two-RBI double to take a 3-1 lead. Despite several late threats, the Bison couldn't rally back.
Senior Chelsea Indyk threw another complete game, striking out three Hawks batters in the loss, dropping her season record to 19-5.
Game 2: Nichols 3, Roger Williams 2 (8 innings)
Game two saw the Hawks take a 2-0 lead on a two-run homer in the top of the third. Nichols continued to battle but wasn't rewarded until the bottom of the seventh inning.
Senior Erin Gour delivered a clutch two-RBI double to right field, scoring Steiniger and Slavinsky to tie the game at two. Gour attempted to stretch her double into a triple but was thrown out at third.
Strong defense in the top of the eighth set the stage for a walk-off. Mary Jo-Laudati was placed on second to start extras, and after quality at-bats from Kyla Felicani and Bailey Littlefield, the Bison loaded the bases. Freshman Alyssa Pericello stepped up and roped a single through the left side to score Jo-Laudati and seal the 3-2 win.
Freshman Molly Medor was stellar in the circle, tossing a complete game with three strikeouts and no walks over eight innings.
Nichols has clinched a spot in the CNE playoffs and will close out the regular season with a non-conference doubleheader against Framingham State on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in Dudley.