DUDLEY, Mass. — Nichols College rallied late and walked off in the eighth inning to defeat Roger Williams University 3-2 in a Conference of New England (CNE) softball matchup on Saturday afternoon.

Roger Williams held a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh, but Nichols (27-11, 12-6 CNE) plated two runs to force extra innings before sealing the victory in the eighth on a walk-off single by Alyssa Pericello.

The Hawks jumped ahead in the third inning when sophomore shortstop Shannon Starratt belted a two-run homer to right center, scoring Lucy Maurao, who had singled to lead off the inning.

Pitcher Kiera Quadros (7-4) was strong for Roger Williams, tossing seven-plus innings while allowing 12 hits and three runs (two earned) with three strikeouts and no walks on 120 pitches.

Nichols tied the game in the seventh when Erin Gour delivered a two-run double to right field, scoring Ava Slavinsky and Chloe Steiniger. In the bottom of the eighth, with a runner on second, the Bison loaded the bases before Pericello's base hit through the left side brought home the winning run.

Molly Medor (5-6) earned the win for Nichols, going the distance and limiting Roger Williams to three hits while striking out three.

Starratt finished 2-for-4 to lead the Hawks' offense, while Maurao added a hit and a run scored.

Roger Williams (19-14, 10-6 CNE) will travel to play Salve Regina on Tuesday, Apr. 29 at 3:00 pm.  The Hawks will then host Western New England for a CNE doubleheader on Wednesday, Apr. 30.