HAVERHILL, Mass. -- Nichols College benefited from 12 free passes to first base, by walk or hit batter, en route to a 4-2 non-conference victory in its season opener over the Bates College baseball team on Sunday night at Trinity Stadium in Haverhill, Mass.

Highlights for the Bobcats (5-4) included an excellent four-inning start from junior righthander Connor Colombo (Mendon, Mass.). Colombo allowed no runs and struck out five Bison. First-year righthander Andrew Freeman (Newton, Mass.) also pitched a shutout inning of relief.

Bates was limited to seven hits on the night, but senior outfielder Nate Pajka (Douglas, Mass.) and junior second baseman Conor Reenstierna (Lincoln, Mass.) both batted 2-for-4, with Reenstierna driving in a run. Senior Sam Berry (Hamilton, Mass.) hit an RBI double in the eighth inning.

Bates' recently scheduled game against Keene State Monday at Husson has been cancelled. The Bobcats are next scheduled to play a three-game series vs. Bowdoin, starting Saturday, April 4 at Leahey Field, to be followed by a doubleheader on Sunday, April 5 beginning at noon, with Bowdoin serving as the nominal home team.