DUDLEY, Mass. (April 14, 2026) – In one of the wildest games of the season, the Nichols College baseball team outlasted Western New England, 17-16, in a 10-inning slugfest Tuesday afternoon at the Nichols Baseball Field. In a game that saw both teams combine for 33 runs, 39 hits, 11 extra-base hits, and constant swings in momentum, Nichols had the final answer, walking it off in the bottom of the tenth to cap a thrilling comeback victory.
 
The Bison improves to 14-11 (6-4 CNE) on the year and remains undefeated at home with a 7-0 record. The Golden Bears fall to 12-16 (5-5 CNE) after the loss.
 
Nichols wasted no time getting on the board, plating four runs in the bottom of the first inning. RBI hits from senior Kyle Birks and freshman Brady Wendell, along with early Western New England errors, gave the Bison a quick 4-0 advantage. Nichols continued to build, adding two runs in both the second and third innings to take an 8-3 lead.
 
Western New England chipped away and eventually delivered a massive blow in the eighth inning. Trailing 13-5 entering the frame, the Golden Bears erupted for 11 runs on eight hits, highlighted by a grand slam from Ryan Montini and a three-run homer from Tyler Waterbury, to seize a stunning 16-13 lead.
 
Ryan Keating sparked the response with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to cut into the deficit. Then in the ninth, the Bison rallied with two outs as Keating delivered again, lining a two-run single up the middle to tie the game at 16-16 and force extra innings.
 
Out of the bullpen, Jordan Medeiros steadied things for Nichols after going in the game to get the last out in the top of the eighth. The freshman right-hander tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while keeping Western New England off the board.
 
In the bottom of the 10th, Nichols completed the comeback. After loading the bases with a walk and two hit batters, Bryce Morrisette got hit by a pitch with a full count to force in the game-winning run, sealing the dramatic 17-16 walk-off victory.
 
Offensively, Nichols recorded 20 hits in the win. Keating led the charge with four hits, including a home run and three RBIs, while Birks drove in a game-high five runs on three hits. Anthony Hackert added three hits, and Collin Harty chipped in two hits and two RBIs. Wendell and Ben White also contributed multi-hit efforts.
 
On the mound, Medeiros earned his second win of the season after coming in to shut down the Golden Bears from scoring any more runs.
 
The Bison are back home tomorrow to face Trinity College (Conn.) in a non-conference game. First pitch is set for 3:30 PM.