DUDLEY, Mass. (4/16/2024) – Senior Brennan Hyde tied the program record for career home runs as the Nichols College baseball team scored 13 runs in a win over the University of Hartford, on Tuesday afternoon from Nichols Baseball Field. Nichols won 13-3 in eight innings over the Hawks. Nichols earned their third straight win by way of the 10-run rule.

Hyde tied the program record for home runs with his 21st career blast for the Bison outfielder. Hyde launched his fifth home run of the season in the second inning. Hyde finished the game with a line of 3-5 with five RBI and two runs scored. Four other Nichols batters each had two hits as well for Nichols.

It was Hartford who opened the scoring for the Bison, with three runs in the top of the first inning. The Bison trailed 3-0 after the first inning. In the second inning, Nichols plated five runs to grab the lead.

Three straight singles loaded the bases for the Bison. Junior Taj Vera Cruz walked in senior Kelvin Gutierrez from third base to score the first Nichols run. A sac-fly from senior Ben Jerome, scored sophomore Liam Flynn. Hyde then launched a home run into right center, clearing the bases and giving Nichols a 5-3 lead.

The Bison offense did not stop there, and they scored six more runs in the bottom of the third inning, to blow the game wide open. Doubles from Flynn and Vera Cruz scored Flynn. Singles from Jerome and senior Johnny Knox scored two more runs for the Bison. Nichols led 8-3. Two more walked loaded bases before Knox scored on a pass ball. Hyde scored on a wild pitch, two more batters later and graduate student Will Kleinhenz scored on a wild pitch as well. Nichols led 11-3 after three innings of work.

Hyde scored Jerome on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning, extending the lead even farther. Hyde then doubled in the eighth inning and scored Knox in the process as the Bison triggered the 10-run rule and the Bison win, 13-3.

Sophomore Aidan Whitten (3-0) earned his third win of the season, after throwing 6.0 innings. He allowed four hits and three runs (1 earned) while striking out three batters. Classmate Brandon Metivier threw 1.0 innings and freshman Chris Critchley also threw 1.0 inning.

Nichols (18-8) will continue their home stand has they welcome Lasell University to Nichols Baseball Field for a game. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.