DUDLEY, Mass. (4/18/2026) – The Nichols softball team was handed another pair of conference setbacks on Saturday, this time against Wentworth Institute of Technology, 3-0 and 4-1 at the Nichols Softball Field.
The Bison drop to 12-18 (6-8 CNE) overall, while Wentworth improves to 9-22 (6-8 CNE).
Game #1
Wentworth broke through in the second inning when Lauren Trostel doubled to left and later scored on an RBI single from Kelsey Medalia to take a 1-0 lead. The Leopards added to their advantage in the third, capitalizing on a Nichols error before Trostel delivered again with an RBI double to right center, extending the lead to 3-0.
Nichols generated chances throughout the game, recording six hits and drawing four walks, but could not plate any runs. The Bison threatened early when
Sydney Hicks singled and stole second in the first inning, and again in the third when Hicks reached and moved up to third on a sacrifice bunt, but both opportunities went scoreless. Their best late chance came in the seventh, as Hicks walked and advanced to third following a single by
Mary Jo-Laudati, but a game-ending double play halted the rally.
In the circle,
Olivia Pedro (8-7) went the distance, allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out two in the loss.
Game #2
After two scoreless frames to open the contest, including strikeouts to the first three Leopard batters from starter
Molly Medor, Wentworth broke through in a big way in the top of the third. Brianna Miller got things started with a solo home run to left, and after a walk and a single, Trostel delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer to push the Leopards ahead 4-0.
Nichols responded in the fourth inning. Jo-Laudati led off with a single, and following a double from
Allie Silliman,
Ava Slavinsky drove in Nichols' lone run of the afternoon with an RBI single down the right field line to cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Bison threatened to build on the momentum, putting runners on in both the fifth and sixth innings, but could not capitalize. Their final chance came in the seventh when Hicks was hit by a pitch and stole second, but no further as a strikeout ended the game.
Medor (4-10) also went the distance in the closing effort, allowing four runs on three hits while striking out six Wentworth batters.
Totaling three on the entire day, Hicks broke a 26-year old program record for single-season stolen bases, with her overall number now standing at 28.
Nichols will look to regroup heading into its next matchup at Western New England University (15-14, 9-3 CNE) on Wednesday, April 22
nd. Game times for the conference doubleheader are set for 2:30 and 4:30 PM at Golden Bear Softball Park.
