DUDLEY, Mass. (6/18/2026) - Coming off the most successful season in program history, the Nichols College softball team entered 2026 with high expectations and a veteran core determined to keep the program among the Conference of New England's top contenders.

Despite facing a challenging schedule,the Bison remained competitive throughout the spring while continuing to build upon the foundation established during the program's recent rise. Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach, and 2025 CNE Coach of the Year Caitlin Hitchcock, the Bison amassed an overall record of 16-22 (9-11 CNE).

Nichols opened the season at The Spring Games in Clermont, Florida, earning victories over Haverford (10-9), Hood (9-8), Regis (6-3) and Thomas (7-0) throughout the trip, while also putting up fierce fights against notable names like Wesleyan and WPI. The Bison carried that momentum into conference play, highlighted by a dominant sweep of Gordon College on March 27. Nichols outscored the Fighting Scots 17-1 across the twin bill, securing 9-1 and 8-0 victories - both in five innings. The team would later add another doubleheader sweep against conference opponent Curry College on April 4^th, dominating the Colonels by 11-3 and 8-0 final scores.

Mid-April turned out to be a turbulent stretch for the Bison in conference play, but ultimately fueled the Bison for a late-season push against some of the CNE's top programs. In their final pair of conference doubleheaders, the Bison picked up wins against Roger Williams University, 1-0, and later capped off the campaign with a 5-2 win over Endicott College, who later went on to claim the 2026 CNE Championship title.

Leading the way offensively was seniors captain Allie Silliman, Ava Slavinsky and Bailey Littlefield. Silliman, a captain in 2026, earned First Team All-CNE (1B) honors after batting .348 with 39 hits, 22 runs scored, and 16 RBI through 37 games, and continued her stellar defensive play posting a .988 fielding percentage while surpassing 1,000 career putouts during the campaign. Littlefield finished as the team's leader in RBI (21), along with a .326 average at the plate, while Slavinsky ranked second in RBI (17) and officially became the program's all-time leader in career hits (188) in a split with Western New England on April 23^rd.

The season also saw the emergence of seniors Mary Jo-Laudati and Michaela Fortier. Jo-Laudati and Fortier each earned Second Team All-CNE recognition, giving Nichols three all-conference selections for the second straight season. Both athletes delivered career performances in 2026, with Jo-Laudati leading the program in both batting average (.397) and slugging percentage (.507), and Fortier ranking second in batting average (.397). Finally, freshman infielder Sydney Hicks immediately established herself as one of the CNE's top speed threats in her first collegiate season, ranking first in the conference with 36 stolen bases, additionally setting a single-season program record that previously stood for 26 years. Hicks also secured two homers in the spring, with one scored inside the park.

While the Bison faced a number of challenges, the season featured several memorable performances and valuable development opportunities for a roster that blended experienced veterans with emerging talent.

SEASON LEADERS
Hits: Sydney Hicks (41)
Home Runs: Sydney Hicks (2)
RBI: Bailey Littlefield (21)
Runs: Sydney Hicks (40 – Ranked 2^nd in CNE)  
Total Bases: Sydney Hicks (62)
Stolen Bases: Sydney Hicks (36 – Ranked 1^st in CNE)
Batting Average: Mary Jo-Laudati (.397)

Innings Pitched: Molly Medor (115)
Strikeouts: Molly Medor (110 – Ranked 2^nd in CNE)  
Wins: Olivia Pedro (9)
Saves: Molly Medor (1)  
Complete Games: Molly Medor (13 – Ranked 4^th in CNE)  
Shutouts: Olivia Pedro (3 – Ranked T-1^st in CNE)

SEASON AWARDS
CNE Pitcher of the Week – Olivia Pedro (3/23)
CNE Pitcher of the Week – Molly Medor (5/4)
CNE All-Conference First Team (1B) – Allie Silliman
CNE All-Conference Second Team (OF) – Mary Jo-Laudati
CNE All-Conference Second Team (DP) – Michaela Fortier
CNE Community Service Team – Michaela Fortier