Dudley, Mass.--Freshman left fielder Melanie Earley (Lumberton, N.J.) went a combined 4-for-7 with two RBI and three doubles as Rhode Island College split a doubleheader at Nichols, 3-1; 4-5, on Wednesday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 3, 4; Nichols 1, 5
Rhode Island College (21-3)
Nichols (10-10)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME ONE:
• The Anchorwomen struck in the first inning with an RBI by sophomore second basemen Noelle Simmons (Goffstown, N.H.) to take a 1-0 lead.
 
• Senior third baseman Victoria Young (Sterling, Conn.) would strike with a solo home run in the third to double the RIC advantage.
 
• The Anchorwomen would add an insurance run in the sixth as junior starter Abby Kidd (Granby, Conn.) would go the distance, giving up just a single run in the bottom of the seventh, to stay unbeaten on the season (12-0).
 
• Earley went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI.
 
GAME TWO:
• The Bison came out swinging in game two to build a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
 
• Earley, Simmons and freshman designated player Reilly Austin (Cumberland, R.I.) would all tally RBI in the third inning to bring the game back to even, 3-3.
 
• Nichols would recapture a one-run lead in the fifth after an RBI single.
 
• In the top of the seventh inning and trailing by a run, senior first baseman Katelyn Ashe (Colchester, Conn.) homered to center field to knot the game, 4-4.
 
• The Bison would respond in kind, as sophomore center fielder Riley Chartier (Johnston, R.I.) would hit a two-out double to right center field to hand the Anchorwomen their first loss since March 10. The Anchorwomen win streak ends at 19 games.
 
• Simmons, Earley and junior shortstop Amanda Conti (Lincoln, R.I.) each went 2-for-4 in the nightcap.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East play with a doubleheader at Plymouth State on Tuesday, April 16 (3:30 p.m.).