BRISTOL, R.I. (4/26/2026) – The Nichols softball team salvaged another conference split on Sunday afternoon, with the first collegiate home run for junior Sidney Manzione lifting the Bison to a 1-0 shutout victory to close out the day at Paolino Field.
The Bison, who fell 4-1 in the opening game, move to 14-20 (8-10 CNE) on the season, while the Hawks stand at 19-13 (11-7 CNE).
Game #1
The Bison struck first in the opening inning, manufacturing a run with small ball.
Sydney Hicks led off with a bunt single, stole second, and came around to score on an follow-up RBI base hit from
Allie Silliman.
Roger Williams answered immediately in the bottom half, tying the game on an RBI triple from Shannon Starratt. The Hawks then took control in the third inning when Starratt delivered again, launching a two-run home run over the left field fence to make it 3–1.
An inning later, Roger Williams added an insurance run after McKenzie Foley tripled and came home on an RBI double from Hailey Williams, extending the lead to 4–1.Nichols threatened sparingly the rest of the way, collecting five hits in total throughout the contest.
In the circle,
Molly Medor (5-11) went the distance for the Bison, striking out eight over six innings while allowing four runs on seven hits.
Game #2
The final game remained scoreless through three innings of play, before
Sydney Manzione provided the breakthrough in the fourth. The junior infielder launched her solo home run to left-center for the first, and only run of the game, the first homer of her collegiate career.
From there, Nichols went into cruise control, as the offense produced steady traffic throughout, finishing with seven hits.
Michaela Fortier and
Kyla Felicani each recorded two-hit performances, while
Ava Slavinsky added a double as part of a 1-for-2 day with a walk.
That lone run proved to be enough thanks to
Olivia Pedro's (9-8) command in the circle, as the Bison senior tossed a complete-game shutout, scattering six hits while striking out five.
Softball will look to build off that momentum with their final non-conference test of the regular season on Tuesday, April 28
th at Framingham State University (14-20, 8-6 MASCAC). Game times are set for 3:00 and 5:00 PM at Maple Street Field.
