BIDDEFORD — Abby Lambert fanned nine against just three hits and a walk as No. 6 University of New England topped No. 7 Nichols College 5-2 in the opening round of the 2015 Commonwealth Coast Conference Softball Championship on Saturday afternoon at Claude Dubois Field.

The Nor’easters (18-18) now move into the double elimination phase of the tournament and will face No. 3 Endicott College in Game 4 of the event today at Salve Regina University.

The Bison wrap up the year with an overall mark of 11-18.

After Nichols stranded a pair in the top of the first, UNE got on the board when Cat Ouellette hit a lead-off single into left field, was sacrificed over to second, proceeded to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.

Lambert put down the next six and the Nor’easters threatened to extend the cushion by loading the bases with two away in the bottom of the third, but the hosts could not capitalize.

NC got the first two batters on in the fourth, and Meghan Sears soon plated both with a one-out single to center, giving the Bison a 2-1 edge.

Big Blue bounced right back in the last half of the inning behind three hits and a pair of infield errors. Paige Moore-Haskell laced a one-out double into the gap in right-center to drive in Lambert and tie the game. Sydney Helmbrecht then guided a two-out single into center, knocking in Jessica Diaz and Moore-Haskell for a 4-2 margin. Helmbrecht motored home from second base on the next play ”“ a wide throw to first base on a grounder.

That was all the offense Lambert needed in the circle, as she retired the final 11 batters to even her personal ledger at 7-7.

Moore-Haskell and Adrienne Chase each had two hits for UNE.

For Nichols, Kasey Ayer recorded two of her team’s three hits, including a double to the fence in center in the first frame. Haley Fountain took the loss, surrendering two earned runs in 3.2 innings of work.

Gordon edges UNE in women’s lacrosse

WENHAM, Mass. ”“ MC Aston scored the deciding tally with 3:01 left as No. 4 Gordon College edged No. 5 University of New England 11-10 in the first round of the 2015 CCC Women’s Lacrosse Championship played Saturday afternoon at the Brigham Athletic Complex.

It was the second one-goal decision between the teams in four days. The Fighting Scots (11-7), who now advance to meet No. 1 Western New England University in the semifinals, secured the home field against UNE with a 15-14 come-from-behind victory in the regular-season finale on Wednesday to finish one game ahead in the standings.

The Nor’easters end the campaign with a 7-10 ledger.

Gordon trailed 7-4 in the early stages of the second half before Aston netted her first marker to spark a 6-0 run in a span of less than 10 minutes. Bailey Grinnell and Abby Illian each scored twice during the stretch.

UNE countered with goals at 10:41, 8:36, and 6:06 to level the match, 10-10, before Aston converted the game-winner.

Big Blue controlled the ensuing draw, but a turnover allowed the hosts to kill off the remaining 2:15 to seal the win.

Jessica Castelline ended with four goals and two assists for the Fighting Scots. Jackie Kiernan made six stops to preserve the result.

For the Nor’easters, Gina Newsome notched three of her team-high four markers during a 4-0 spurt that had the visitors up by three (4-1) in the opening stanza.

The difference was 5-3 at the half until UNE restored its three-goal cushion (7-4) with 25:03 to go.

Rachel Schwaner contributed two goals and four draws for the Nor’easters, while Johanna Currier picked up seven draw controls to help Big Blue to a 14-9 advantage in the category. Courtney Kendall posted 11 saves in goal.