DUDLEY, Mass. (3/5/2026) – The 2026 spring season is on the horizon for the Nichols softball program, with their campaign set to begin this weekend in Clermont, Florida.

The Bison return to the field this spring with a mix of veteran returners, as well as a recruiting class of six freshman. Under the tutelage of 2025 CNE Coach of the Year Caitlin Hitchcock, the program will look to build off its most successful campaign in program history, where the team finished with a 32-13 (12-6 CNE) overall record, the team's highest win total for a single season.

The 2025 season also saw the Bison advance to their first-ever Conference of New England Championship game, despite narrowly falling to eventual winner Western New England in extra innings, 0-1.

Notable returners for the Bison include senior infielder Ava Slavinsky, who finished last season as the conference leader in total hits (63), while also occupying the top-five individually in batting average (.391). Classmate Allie Silliman is another notable returner at the plate, having also finished third conference-wide in hits (53) last season, and will join classmates Emily Iannuccilli and Bailey Littlefield as a captain this spring.

 In the circle, sophomore pitcher Molly Medor will look to build off her successful freshman season, where she held a 7-7 overall record with a 2.90 earned run average, and 71 strikeouts, while senior Olivia Pedro returns after missing 2025 with an injury. The Bison senior posted an 8-8 record, 47 strikeouts and a 2.80 ERA in 2024. 

Nichols opens their Florida trip with a 10:00 AM tilt against Haverford College, followed by a 2:30 PM game against Westminster College (Pa.). Both games will be held at Hancock Park.