Nichols Edges Out Softball in CNE Twinbill

BOSTON, Mass. – In a pair of defensive duels, the Nichols Bison softball team edged out Wentworth Institute of Technology by 3-1 and 3-2 scores on Carr Diamond Saturday afternoon.

With the pair of Conference of New England wins, the Bison improve to 17-5 overall and 5-1 in conference play. The Leopards slip to 11-13 overall and 1-5 in the CNE.

GAME ONE: NICHOLS 3, WENTWORTH 1

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Bison broke the ice in the second inning as an RBI single by Bailey Littlefield with two runners in scoring position drove home one, giving Nichols an initial 1-0 edge.
• In the fourth, Wentworth knotted the score at one aside as an RBI double by Lexi Lefkowski with two runners on plated a run by Kelsey Medalia. However, the Bison retired the next two Leopards to end the threat.
• Nichols re-gained their lead, capitalizing on a runner at third with a ground out. Later in the frame, a double by Alyssa Pericello plated another score, giving the Bison a 3-1 lead.
• A single by Jenna Roche in the fifth inning was all the Leopards could collect to get on base as Chelsea Indyk shut down eight of the Black & Gold's nine batters down the stretch.
• Four Leopards registered a hit in the setback. In the circle, Julia Malowitz struck out two and surrendered eight hits in five innings. In relief, Maddy Longoria fanned three batters and only surrendered one hit.

GAME TWO: NICHOLS 3, WENTWORTH 2 (FINAL – 8 INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Nichols scratched a run onto the board in the second inning as an RBI single by Littlefield plated a run. In the sixth, another RBI single by Littlefield with two runners on drove one home, marking a 2-0 advantage for the Bison.
• The Leopards clawed into the lead in the sixth as a double by Jess Rowe plated a run by Kyla Igawa, marking a 2-1 game. In the seventh, with two outs on the board, the Black & Gold claimed the game-tying run as Lefkowski sent a triple to the outfield and found home base on an error by the Bison.
• In the eighth, Nichols claimed a 3-2 edge as an error ultimately drove home their base runner from second. In the back half of the frame, a sac bunt brought Medalia to third but the Leopards next two batters came up empty.
• Lefkowski led Wentworth's offense with her two hits while in the circle, Rowe struck out three batters and gave up five hits in the loss.

SERIES NOTES:

• Today marked the 50^h and 51^st all-time meetings between the two teams.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards host Roger Williams on Saturday, April 12.

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