DUDLEY, Mass. (3/21/2026) – The Nichols softball team opened conference play, as well as their home schedule by splitting a twin bill against Suffolk University on Saturday afternoon. The Bison dominated their opener against the Rams, 7-0, but were tripped up in the finale, 8-6.

With the split, the Bison shift to 5-7 (1-1 CNE) overall, while the Rams move to 7-7 (1-1 CNE) respectively.

Game #1
It took a while for the game's first run to cross home plate, with both sides playing through a scoreless first and second inning. The Bison finally broke the silent streak in the bottom of the third inning, as senior Allie Silliman drove a base hit into right field with two outs on the board, before ultimately scoring on an RBI double to the same area of the field from classmate Bailey Littlefield.

Nichols continued to add individual runs in the home half of the fourth and fifth innings, extending their lead to 3-0. Nichols' fourth inning tally came after a walk to senior outfielder Riley Chartier with a full count, who then scored on an RBI double from freshman Madison Scribner, this time to left field. Then, in the fifth frame, Silliman and Littlefield nearly replicated their scoring sequence from the third inning, this time with Silliman stealing second and Littlefield plating the run with a single to right.

With a comfortable three-run lead in hand, the Bison put the game well out of reach with a dominant four-run performance in the sixth inning. With one out, senior Emily Iannuccilli set the scene with a base hit up the middle, and then scored on a Scribner RBI double to make it a 4-0 game. Then, with a walk to the next batter to put runners at first and second, Silliman made contact for another RBI gap shot to left center, moments before a Suffolk wild pitch bought enough time for the lead runner at third to score, doubling Nichols' lead to 6-0. To round out the scoring, Littlefield landed a shot just inside the right-field line to plate her third RBI of the day, leading the hosts to the 7-0 victory.  

With her double in the sixth, Silliman also made history the program's new all-time leader in career doubles (43).

Littlefield led the Nichols offense with an outstanding three-for-three performance, which included one walk and three RBI, while Silliman went three-for-four at the plate with a solo RBI. Iannuccilli also contributed a pair of hits in the win, with Hicks and Scribner notching one RBI apiece.

Senior Olivia Pedro tossed the complete game shutout in the circle, allowing just five hits while striking out one batter.

Game #2

Nichols wasted little time taking control of  the second game, plating five combined runs through the first two innings. Three of the five landed in the first inning, beginning with Hicks on an RBI single to center by Littlefield, continuing the senior's hot streak at the plate. Next, the Bison worked a double-steal to score their second run of the inning, while the third scored thanks to an RBI single to left by senior Ava Slavinsky.

The Bison stampede showed no signs of slowing down in the second, with two more runs scoring off a Silliman single to shallow center field, furthering the host lead to 5-0 through two.

However, for the next three innings the Rams efficiently calmed the Bison attack, keeping them scoreless while orchestrating a five-run rally between the tops of the fourth and fifth innings, bringing about a brand-new ballgame tied at 5-5. In an effort to restore control, Nichols pulled back in front late in the sixth inning as Littlefield reached first on a fielder's choice with one out, scoring Hicks from third for a 6-5 lead.

Despite the late go-ahead run, Suffolk stunned the hosts with a three-run burst in the top of the seventh, with one run scoring as the result of a Bison fielding error. That would be it for both teams, as the Rams retired the Bison side before any additional comeback effort could be made.

Sophomore Molly Medor battled in the circle through four innings of work, striking out five batters with five runs allowed on three hits. Pedro, in her second appearance on the day, was attributed the loss as the reliever, pitching the remaining three innings, allowing three runs on six hits and a strikeout.  

The Bison continue their three-series homestand this upcoming week with a non-conference doubleheader against Wellesley College (4-3) on Wednesday, March 25^th. Game times are set for 2:30 and 4:30 PM at the Nichols Softball Field.