DUDLEY, Mass. (4/11/2026) – The Nichols softball team traded a pair of 5-3 decisions in a conference doubleheader against Johnson & Wales University on Saturday, winning in the closing game to highlight the program's Senior Day celebration at the Nichols Softball Field.

Nichols moves to 12-14 (6-4 CNE) with the split, while the Wildcats move to 9-13 (3-7 CNE).

Game #1

Johnson & Wales kickstarted the scoring in the second inning, using a two-out RBI single from Gabby Bellamore to take a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats added another run in the third on an RBI fielder's choice from Morgan Pelletier, pushing their advantage to 2-0.

However, Nichols was quick to respond in the bottom half of the third with a two-out rally of its own. Samantha Lombardi worked a walk before Sydney Hicks and Ava Slavinsky loaded the bases. Bailey Littlefield delivered in the next at-bat, reaching on a fielder's choice that brought home two runs to even the odds at 2-2. Then, The Bison took their only lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Mary Jo-Laudati hitting a lead-off double and later scoring on a Michaela Fortier bunt that resulted in a Johnson & Wales error, making it a 3-2 ballgame.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Wildcats answered in the fifth with an RBI single to even the score at 3-3. After a scoreless sixth inning, Johnson & Wales broke through in the seventh. Pelletier sparked the rally with a leadoff double, and with two outs, Jadyn Torres delivered the decisive blow—a two-run single up the middle—to give the Wildcats a 5-3 lead.

Nichols was unable to respond in the bottom half, as Johnson & Wales pitcher Jill Reed retired the side to secure the complete-game victory. In the circle, Olivia Pedro started and allowed three runs over four innings, while Molly Medor (3-8) took the loss after surrendering two runs in relief.

Game #2

Johnson & Wales was again the first to score, this time in the opening frame using a sacrifice fly from Morgan Pelletier to take a 1-0 lead. Nichols answered in the second, as Riley Chartier delivered an RBI single to score Emily Iannuccilli and even the game at 1-1.

The Wildcats regained the lead in the third, capitalizing on a Nichols error and an RBI single from Chloe Brunelle to make it 2-1, but the hosts were one more quick to respond when Hicks and Slavinsky hit back-to-back doubles, with the latter driving in Hicks to tie the game at 2-2 in the fourth.

Johnson & Wales briefly moved back in front in the sixth on Pelletier's solo home run, but Nichols had the final say in the bottom half. After a leadoff walk, Hicks sparked the rally with her second double of the day. Slavinsky followed with an RBI single to tie the game, and Littlefield gave the Bison the lead with another run-scoring single. Allie Silliman added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to cap the three-run inning and put Nichols ahead 5-3.

Molly Medor (4-8) earned the complete-game victory in the circle, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out one. She also retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the win.

Softball turns right back around for a road doubleheader at the University of Hartford (12-10, 5-5 CNE) tomorrow, April 12^th with start times of 12:00 & 2:00 PM.