North Andover, Mass. – Junior first baseman Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) recorded three hits and scored twice to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a 7-6 win over Merrimack College in the first game of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Martone-Mejail Field. The Warriors won the nightcap, 9-1, in five innings.

The Dolphins opened the day's scoring with two runs in the first inning. Nicolosi led off with a single, moved to second on a single by freshman center fielder Aubrie Williams (Kirkville, N.Y./East Syracuse-Minoa), took third on a passed ball and scored on a single by junior designated player Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool). Williams then scored on an error by the shortstop after stealing third base.

Merrimack answered with a run in the bottom of the frame. After left fielder Hannah Johnson walked with one out, she scored on a double by right fielder Abigail Amato.

Le Moyne scored twice in the third on one hit and one Merrimack error to take a 4-1 lead. Nicolosi led off with a double and came around to score as Williams reached on an error by the third baseman. After Bellrose was hit by a pitch, junior third baseman Chelsie Delperuto (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay/UMBC) lifted a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Williams.

The Warriors countered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Amato led off with a triple and scored on a passed ball with one out.

The Dolphins took their largest lead of the game with two runs on four hits in the fourth. After senior right fielder Lauren Zazzaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) and junior second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) singled with one out, Nicolosi doubled to drive in Zazzaro. Following an out, Bellrose singled to knock in McManus.

As they did twice prior in the game, the Warriors answered Le Moyne's two runs with one of their own. Center fielder Nicole Nanof led off with a single and stole second. Following an out, Johnson singled to plate Nanof.

Le Moyne scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the seventh. Sophomore shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) led off with a triple and scored on a single by sophomore catcher Olivia Littman (Newfane, N.Y./Newfane).

Merrimack plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh to get within one, but left the tying run on base. Pitcher Kristina Terrazzano reached on an error by the third baseman with two outs, moved to second on a single by pitcher/designated player Jenna Wike and took third on a single by Nanof. Shortstop Tiffany Mangiameli then reached on an error by the shortstop, which allowed Terrazzano to score. Johnson then singled to drive in Wike and Nanof. Mangiameli was then retired at third base on a groundball to end the game.

Sophomore Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) earned her sixth win of the season after going the distance and striking out two, while yielding six runs (two earned). In addition to Nicolosi's three-hit performance, Bellrose and Zazzaro each had two hits. Wike, a native of Liverpool, took the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) and four hits in two innings pitched.

In the first inning of game two, Merrimack scored four times on two hits and two Le Moyne errors. Mangiameli reached on an error to start the frame and then stole second. After moving to third on a single by Johnson, Mangiameli scored on a passed ball. After taking third on a wild pitch, Johnson scored on a passed ball as Amato walked. Following an out, second baseman Kelly Dovi doubled to plate Amato. Terrazzano then reached on an error by the first baseman to knock in Dovi.

Le Moyne answered with a run in the second. After freshman catcher Cassidy Barrett (Apalachin, N.Y./Vestal) walked with one out, she scored on a double by senior left fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy). The next two batters walked to load the bases, but Bryana Michitson came out of the bullpen to record a pair of air outs.

The Warriors scored three times on two hits and a Le Moyne error in the bottom of the second. Nanof walked to open the frame and then stole second and third. After Mangiameli reached on a fielder's choice and Johnson was awarded first on catcher's interference to load the bases, Amato lifted a sacrifice fly to right to knock in Nanof. Third baseman Luciellia Colarusso followed with a single to drive in Mangiameli, while Dovi then singled to plate Johnson.

Merrimack tacked on a run in the third on two hits. Catcher Amber Gibbons led off with a single and was replaced at first by pinch-runner Jenna Bradish. Following a pop out and a double by Mangiameli, Johnson flied out to center to drive in Bradish.

The Warriors ended the game with a run in the fifth. Gibbons drew a walk to start the inning and was replaced at first by pinch-runner Nicole Koshes. After a pop out, a walk by Mangiameli and a single by Johnson to load the bases, Amata lifted a sacrifice fly to center to knock in Koshes.

Junior Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) took the loss after all three batters she faced came around to score. Michitson earned the win after recording the final 11 outs.

Le Moyne (14-12, 6-3 NE10) returns to NE10 Southwest Division action on Saturday with a doubleheader at Southern Connecticut State University at 12:00 p.m.