The Nicholls State University softball team battled No. 20 LSU early but could not keep pace with the Tigers’ offense, which scored 10 runs over the final four innings to hand the Colonels a 12–2 loss Tuesday night at Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park.

Nicholls (12–11) stayed within striking distance through the first three innings and trailed just 2–1 after Gabby Higbee delivered an RBI single in the second. LSU, however, broke the game open in the fourth inning with four runs, added two more in the fifth, and capped the scoring with four in the seventh. Higbee drove in Nicholls’ final run with an RBI double in the seventh.

The Colonels finished with three hits in the contest. Reagan Heflin recorded a double to set up Higbee’s first RBI, while LSU collected 14 hits overall. Alix Franklin and Kylee Edwards led the Tigers with three hits each.

Holding a slim 2–1 lead entering the fourth inning, LSU extended its advantage with one swing when Avery Hodge launched a three-run home run as part of a four-run frame. Cali Deal earned the win for the Tigers, striking out three over four innings of work.

Nicholls used three pitchers in the game. Molly Yoo worked 3.1 innings and allowed five runs on five hits, while Ashley Little and Sierra Ouellette combined for five strikeouts over the final 2.2 innings.

The Colonels quickly bounced back the following afternoon, powering their way to a 10–0 run-rule victory in six innings at Jackson State.

Sierra Ouellette dominated in the circle, tossing a one-hit shutout while striking out six in the complete-game effort. The only hit she allowed was an infield single in the first inning, and she retired nine straight batters during one stretch.

Nicholls jumped out to a 4–0 lead in the second inning. Laylin Sturm started the scoring with an RBI single before Madison Moak brought in another run on a fielder’s choice. The Colonels added two more runs on an Erin Krause sacrifice fly and a Jackson State error.

The lead grew in the fifth when Reagan Heflin launched a three-run home run. Nicholls added the final runs in the sixth with back-to-back home runs. Ava Burkett hit a two-run shot for her first career homer, and Carmella Muccilli followed with her first career long ball to cap the scoring.

The Colonels finished with eight hits in the win, with eight different players recording a hit and 10 players scoring a run.

Up Next
Nicholls will travel to San Antonio for a three-game Southland Conference series against UIW. The series begins with a doubleheader on Friday, March 13, starting at 3:00 p.m.