DUDLEY, Mass. (5/6/2026) – The No. 4 seeded Nichols College baseball program (23-17, 10-8 CNE) captured an 11-9 victory over the Roger Williams University Hawks on Tuesday in the first round of the
Conference of New England (CNE) tournament at the Nichols Baseball Field. Following the win, the Bison have stamped their ticket to the quarterfinal round, which will see them travel to the No. 1 seeded Endicott College Gulls (31-8, 17-1 CNE). This round will mark the start of the double-elimination format of the tournament.
Around The Bracket
The winner of the game on Thursday will remain on the winner's side of the bracket and play on Friday, May 8th, at 11 AM in the CNE tournament semifinals against the winner of game four between No. 2 Hartford and No. 3 Western New England. The loser of the Nichols vs Endicott game will move to the loser's side of the bracket to face the loser of game four on Thursday night in a win or go home match.
The Hot Hands
Nichols recorded 17 hits amongst eight student-athletes against Roger Williams, setting the pace for the high-scoring affair. Sophomore
Ryan Keating led the charge with a game-high five RBIs, highlighted by his grand slam to deep right-center in the second inning. Junior
Anthony Hackert went 3 for 5 with one RBI, and senior
Kyle Birks went 4 for 5 with two RBIs, with Birks recording the only stolen base of the game. Freshman shortstop Charles Macelhiney also added three hits in four at bats in the dominant offensive performance.
On the mound yesterday, the Nichols relied on a strong bullpen effort to close out the victory. Heading into the game down 9-7,
Clark Churchill earned the win after working a key scoreless top of the sixth inning to spark the Bison's offensive 3 run rally in the bottom of the inning.
Aidan Whitten came into the game in the seventh inning to pitch two shutout frames of his own before
Mitch Brown shut the door in the ninth, picking up his second save of the season to secure the 11-9 postseason win.
