CLINTON, NY (May 2, 2026) – The top four of the Tufts University batting order combined for nine hits, nine runs and five runs batted in during a 10-6 game-one victory as the Tufts University softball team split a NESCAC doubleheader at Hamilton College on Saturday.

The host Continentals turned the tables in game two, out-hitting the Jumbos for a 10-7 win.

With the split, Tufts is now 27-9 overall and 12-4 in NESCAC, while Hamilton's season ends at 10-27 overall and 3-15 in the conference.

Game 1 – Tufts 10, Hamilton 6

Lauryn Horita (2 for 4, 3 runs), Heaven Oliva (2 for 4, run, rbi), Paige Murphy (3 for 5, 3 runs, 2 rbis) and Kaitlyn Perucci (2 for 3, 2 runs, 2 rbis) combined to lead the Jumbos to the victory.

Tufts got started right away with three runs in the top of the first inning. After Horita doubled to lead off the game, Oliva walked and Murphy singled home a run. Murphy would later score on a passed ball and Perucci came home on a wild pitch. However, Hamilton's Nikki Dyche doubled home two runs in the bottom of the first to close the gap to 3-2.

The Jumbos would strike for three more runs in the top of the second on four hits. A double by Murphy brought in one run and Perucci followed with a two-run single up the middle to make it 6-2 Jumbos. Again the Continentals would score in the bottom of the frame, as Alison Zorn led off with a double and would score from third on a double-steal play.

One-out singles by Murphy and Perucci led to a two-run fourth inning for the Jumbos. Murphy scored on Ella Malin's fielder's choice, and Perucci came in on a sacrifice fly by Haley Leimbach. The Jumbos would build the advantage to 10-3 with single runs in the fifth and sixth, as Oliva doubled home a run in the fourth and Malin tripled and scored on Cat Kawabe's single in the sixth.

Tufts first-year Francesca Colangelo pitched well in relief, getting the Jumbos to the sixth inning with the big lead. The Continentals would score twice in the sixth on rbis by Lydia Mirabito (sac fly) and Alexis Mayer (single). The hosts would add one more in the bottom of the seventh as Dyche doubled again and scored on an infield single by Zorn.

Colangelo earned the victory, improving to 8-2 after giving up two hits and two runs in 3.2 innings.

Dyce finished 2 for 4 with two rbis and a run, and Zorn was 3 for 4 with two runs and an rbi for Hamilton. Yael Everett was the losing pitcher (4.2 IP, 9 H, 9 R).

Game 2 – Hamilton 10, Tufts 7

The game was tied 5-5 after four innings following a five-run third by the Continentals and a four-run fourth from Tufts. In the later innings, Hamilton would open up a five-run lead and hold off the Jumbos.

Tufts had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Horita reached on a fielder's choice, and with two outs moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Oliva's infield single.

A two-run home run by Dyche sparked Hamilton in the bottom of the third to take a 5-1 advantage. However, the Jumbos then tied the score when Malin tripled with the bases loaded to bring home three runs and then scored on Horita's base hit.

The hosts gained back the advantage with a three-run fifth. With the bases loaded, Mirabito hit a sac fly and then Mayer doubled in two runs giving the Continentals an 8-5 lead. They would add to it with a two-run home run by Juliana Abraham for a 10-5 score through six frames.

Tufts would close to within 10-7 in the top of the seventh as Leimbach and Kawabe both had rbi singles. The Jumbos had the tying run at the plate with one out, but Hamilton's Aubrey Purvis retired the final two batters to close out the victory for the Continentals.

Mayer went 4 for 4 with two rbis and a run at the top of the Hamilton order, while Dyche and Abraham were both 2 for 4 with two runs and two rbis. Purvis allowed six hits and four runs in 3.2 innings while recording the victory.

Leimbach had three hits to lead the Jumbos, while Malin finished 2 for 3 with the three rbis and run, and Kawabe had two hits with a run and rbi. Colangelo took the loss in relief (2 IP, 2 H, 3R).

Next

The Jumbos can lock up the #1 seed in NESCAC with one win tomorrow when they host a conference doubleheader versus Williams College at Spicer Field beginning at noon. The Ephs can take the #1 seed by winning twice.