BIDDEFORD, Maine (3/30/2026) - Nichols came up short in both ends of a Conference of New England doubleheader on Monday, falling 6-1 and 5-3 to the University of New England at Nor'easter Diamond.

With the dual losses, the Bison move to 7-11 (3-3 CNE) overall, while the Nor'easters improve to 6-6 (2-2 CNE).

Game #1

UNE struck early, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. After a pair of baserunners reached, the Nor'easters delivered the big blow with a three-run homer to left field, giving the hosts a quick 3-0 advantage.

The Bison responded in the fourth inning when senior Ava Slavinsky led off with a bunt single and later came around to score on an RBI double to left-center by classmate Allie Silliman, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Nichols threatened again in the fifth, loading the bases with one out, but UNE worked out of the jam to keep the two-run cushion intact.

UNE broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on a pair of Nichols errors. The Nor'easters scored three runs in the frame—two unearned—to extend their lead to 6-1.

Nichols collected six hits in the loss, with Silliman leading the way with her double and the team's lone RBI. Slavinsky reached base twice with a hit and a walk, while Michaela Fortier, Kyla Felicani, Riley Chartier, and Mary Jo-Laudati each added a hit.

Olivia Pedro (6-4) went the distance in the circle for the Bison, allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out two.

Game #2

After three scoreless innings, UNE broke through in the home half of the fourth when a lead-off double to right field eventually came home on an RBI single two batters later, giving the hosts a 1-0 edge. The Bison countered in the sixth with their best offensive inning of the day. Following a leadoff single from Mary Jo-Laudati, Nichols capitalized on a UNE error to tie the game before Chartier delivered an RBI double to left-center, giving the Bison a 2-1 advantage.

The lead was short-lived, however, as UNE responded with a four-run bottom half of the sixth. A two-run double helped the Nor'easters reclaim the lead, followed by two more runs—including a sacrifice fly and an RBI single —to extend the margin to 5-2.

Nichols made one final push in the seventh. Freshman Sydney Hicks and Jo-Laudati both worked walks to put two runners on, before senior Bailey Littlefield came through with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-3. The rally would end there, as UNE recorded the final out to secure the sweep.

Silliman paced the Bison offense with two hits, while Littlefield, Chartier, Fortier, and Jo-Laudati each contributed a hit. Chartier and Littlefield both drove in runs, and Hicks reached base three times via walks.

Molly Medor (1-6) took the loss in the circle, allowing five runs on six hits over five-plus innings. Olivia Pedro provided relief, tossing the final inning.

Softball returns home for a non-conference twin bill with Eastern Connecticut State (9-5, 2-0 CNE) on Wednesday, April 1^st. Game times are set for 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM at the Nichols Softball Field.