SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 31, 2026) – The Western New England baseball team saw the bats come alive on Tuesday afternoon in Conference of New England action, pounding out 15 hits and 14 runs in a 14-4 victory in eight innings over the Bison of Nichols College from Trelease Park. 

Records:

• Western New England: 10-8, 3-1 CNE
• Nichols College: 8-8, 2-2 CNE

How it Happened:

Second Inning:

• Greg Nivison made the start for the Golden Bears, looking to bounce back from his last start in conference action against the University of Hartford, and sat down the Bison in rather quick order despite giving up three hits through the first two frames. Nivison saw the Bison line into a double play in the top of the second with one out while threatening to calm the threat. 
• Corey Kilroy and Ryan Montini reached base to begin the bottom of the second and advanced a base each following a Tyler Waterbury sacrifice bunt. The Golden Bears couldn't string together any runs in the frame despite the threat, as the teams stayed scoreless after two innings. 

Third Inning:

• Nichols cracked the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning, coming away with the opening run of the game on an RBI single from Andrew Rocca to give the Bison the 1-0 lead. Western New England had an error in the inning, while Nichols left the bases loaded as Nivison got out of the inning on a groundout. 
• Western New England responded in the bottom of the inning in a big way, hanging six runs on the Bison. Antonio Galizia and Mark Zigmont picked up singles in the inning, while Leo Paragarino notched an RBI double to tie the game at one. With two outs, Corey Kilroy hit a ground ball in the infield that tricked the Nichols shortstop, scoring two runs, giving the Golden Bears a 3-1 lead. The Golden Bears took advantage of the infield error by Nichols, seeing Ryan Montini single to right field, followed by a three-run home run from Tyler Waterbury, his second of the season, giving WNE a 6-1 lead. 

Fifth Inning:

• Western New England had a chance to add to its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning after Leo Paragarino picked up a single while Corey Kilroy reached on a hit by pitch, both with one out, but the Golden Bears were caught up on the basepaths, and the inning ended with the Blue and Gold still ahead 6-1.

Sixth Inning:

• WNE plated two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take an 8-1 lead. Antonio Galizia contributed to the hit parade, singling to center field to score Tyler Waterbury, who doubled to begin the inning. Connor Cowern then reached on a fielder's choice that scored Zach Drewry, who singled in the frame to get aboard. WNE had ten hits through six innings and took a seven-run lead into the seventh inning.

Seventh Inning:

• Nichols fought back for two runs in the top of the seventh inning, chasing Nivison from the game on the mound after going 6.1 innings, giving up five hits and three runs, walking two, and striking out two. Nichols trailed 8-3 after the top of the seventh. 
• In the bottom of the inning, the Golden Bears registered three runs on two hits. Corey Kilroy led off the inning with a solo home run to left-center field, giving WNE a 9-3 lead. The Golden Bears continued to score after Nivison substituted into the field and into the batting order, taking a walk, while Tyler Waterbury was hit by a pitch to put runners on base. Noah Schermerhorn pinch-hit and lifted a sacrifice fly to score another run for the Golden Bears, while Antonio Galizia's RBI double gave WNE an 11-3 lead after seven innings of play. 

Eighth Inning:

• Jack Lewis gave up a hit and a run in the top of the eighth, seeing Andrew Rocca lead off with a triple, while a groundout scored the runner. The Bison trailed 11-4 after the top of the eighth. 
• The Golden Bears closed out the game an inning early in the bottom of the eighth, picking up three hits and three runs to win the game. Greg Nivison picked up an RBI single, Tyler Waterbury produced his fourth RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly, and Connor Cowern took a bases-loaded walk to walk off the game, seeing the Golden Bears take a 14-4 victory. 

Inside the Lines:

• The WNE bats were red-hot on Tuesday afternoon, picking up 15 hits in the win. Leo Paragarino led WNE with three hits in five at-bats, scoring two runs and picking up one RBI. Antonio Galizia also had three hits in five at-bats, coming up with a pair of RBIs. 
• Tyler Waterbury launched his first home run of the year at Trelease Park and second of the year overall, going 2-for-2 with four RBIs in the win. 
• Mark Zigmont continued his tear, adding two hits in four at-bats. 
• Greg Nivison went the first 6.1 innings, giving up five hits and three runs, striking out two to earn his second win of the season. 
• Brody Rogers and Jack Lewis finished out the game on the hill for WNE. 
• Nichols used eight pitchers in the loss, throwing over 160 pitches. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears host Keene State College for a Wednesday non-conference game at Trelease Park on April 1 at 3:30 PM.