HARTFORD, Conn. (4/12/2026) – The Nichols softball team dropped both ends of a tightly contested doubleheader at the University of Hartford on Sunday, falling 2-1 in a pitcher's duel before a 7-5 setback in the nightcap.

The Bison sit at 12-16 (6-6 CNE) on the season, while the Hawks jump to 14-10 (7-5 CNE).

Game #1

The Bison were quick out of the gate with a run in the first inning, capitalizing on a Hartford error. Ava Slavinsky worked a two-out walk and advanced into scoring position before Allie Silliman delivered the run with a base hit to left, giving Nichols an early 1-0 edge.

However, Hartford was just as quick with their response, scoring the equalizer in the bottom half of the first. A triple from Katrina Baran set the table, while Alyssa Edwards followed with an RBI single to even things up at 1-1.

From there, both defenses settled in for a scoreless second and third innings, until Hartford eventually broke the tie in the fourth inning when Adelie Beebe launched a solo home run to left field, putting the hosts up 2-1.

Nichols managed to put the Hawks on notice twice more with runners on base in the fourth, and later the seventh inning, but ultimately couldn't find a timely hit to plate any tying runs. As a result, the win would go to the Hawks by the 2-1 final score.

Despite the loss, sophomore Molly Medor (4-9) turned in another strong complete-game effort, allowing just two runs on six hits while striking out nine over six innings. Offensively, Silliman was one of three Bison with a hit, while supplying the team's lone RBI.

Game #2

For the second time on the day, the Bison opened the scoring in the first inning, this time as Sydney Hicks was hit by a pitch, stole second and third, and came home on a sacrifice fly from Slavinsky to make it 1-0. It was déjà vu for Hartford also, who responded with two runs in the home half of the frame, using a two-RBI single from Gia Miccio.

Nichols answered in a big way in the third, plating four runs to surge ahead 5-2. The rally was fueled by several Hartford miscues, as Hicks and Slavinsky reached to start the inning. An error brought home the tying run before Mary Jo-Laudati delivered an RBI single, while Michaela Fortier was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run, making it 4-2. To cap the inning, Riley Chartier added an RBI fielder's choice to put Nichols up by three.

However, Hartford chipped away from there, scoring once in the third and again in the fourth to cut the deficit to 5-4. The Hawks tied the game in the fifth, taking advantage of a Nichols error to even things at 5-5.

The decisive blow came in the sixth. Hartford loaded the bases with no outs and pushed across two runs on a walk and a sacrifice fly from Miccio to reclaim the lead at 7-5.

Nichols threatened late, putting runners on in both the sixth and seventh innings, including a three-hit sixth, but couldn't come up with the tying hit.

Olivia Pedro (8-6) took the loss in the circle, allowing six runs (five earned) over 5.1 innings of work with four strikeouts. Medor worked 0.2 innings of relief, allowing one earned run. Jo-Laudati went 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI, while Hicks crossed home plate twice in the effort.

Softball will have several days off before hosting Wentworth Institute of Technology (6-21, 4-8 CNE) for Alumni Appreciation on Saturday, April 18^th. The CNE doubleheader with the Leopards is set for a 12:00 PM start.