Colonels softball continues to church

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April 11, 2017

Louisiana’s Finest: Ellender, Houma Christian earn several All-State honors

April 11, 2017

The Nicholls State University softball team knew its series with Abilene Christian was part one of a two-weekend, six-game gauntlet that would show the world where the Colonels stood in the pantheon of Southland Conference contenders.

So far, so good.

The Colonels took care of business against Abilene Christian in a hard-fought, dramatic series.

Next up is a three-game series in Thibodaux against their toughest foe yet: the mighty McNeese State University Cowgirls.

The Colonels won two out of three games against Abilene Christian this past weekend – remaining undefeated in conference weekend series for the season.

With the victories, the Colonels now sit at 12-3 in Southland Conference play.

They’re two games back of the Cowgirls, who are 14-1 and are the annual favorites to win the league.

Abilene Christian is 12-3 and tied with the Colonels, but they’re not a threat for anything besides regular season pride.

The Wildcats are ineligible for the Southland Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. They can only compete for the regular season title.

That means that Nicholls and the Cowgirls are likely going to be the two highest seeds in the Southland Conference Tournament later this spring.

The Colonels could take the lead in the conference if they sweep the Cowgirls this weekend.

“They’re such a great program,” Nicholls coach Angel Santiago said after facing McNeese last season. “They have depth, and quality players at every position. They’re the team that we’re all chasing, and it’s hard because they just don’t have many cracks.”

But the Colonels showed this past weekend that they’re not too shabby, themselves.

Nicholls won the opening game against Abilene Christian, thanks to some gutsy offense and clutch pitching.

The Colonels scored runs in the first and second innings to take an early 2-0 lead, but then squandered that advantage after allowing runs in the third and fourth, which tied the game at 2-all.

But in the top of the fifth inning, the Colonels took control for good.

Leadoff hitter Samantha Mracich singled to start the inning, then scored on a throwing error in the next at-bat.

With the lead again, the Colonels didn’t waiver, weaving out of trouble in both the fifth and sixth innings to secure the win.

Nicholls ace Jackie Johnson got the win, pitching five innings and allowing two runs.

Megan Landry got the save for the Colonels, finishing the victory in the final two innings without allowing a hit.

That duo did it again for the Colonels in game two of the series on Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats scored two runs off Johnson in the bottom of the first inning to take their first lead of the series.

But it didn’t last.

The Colonels scored a run in the second, then three in the third to take a 4-2 edge.

Designated hitter Kendal Daniels and catcher Veronica Villafranco were key in the third-inning rally – each recording RBI hits.

With the lead, the Colonels took control of the game on the mound.

Johnson pitched four-straight scoreless innings after the rough first inning. She then gave way to Landry, who again pitched two-straight scoreless innings to secure the save and the series win for Nicholls.

The Colonels nearly swept the series just a couple hours later, but Abilene Christian had other plans.

Nicholls led the final game of the series 4-3 after a two-run seventh-inning rally – capped by a two-RBI single from first baseman Kasey Frederick.

But the Wildcats battled back.

They scored a run in the seventh inning to tie the game and push it into extra innings.

After a few scoreless frames, they then won it in the bottom of the 10th inning when Braegan Hamilton singled to left field to plate the game-winning run.

The Colonels will take on McNeese State this weekend.