DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

TFAE RACE BEATS RAIN, ENTERTAINS LOCALS
May 16, 2019
READY TO RUMBLE
May 16, 2019
TFAE RACE BEATS RAIN, ENTERTAINS LOCALS
May 16, 2019
READY TO RUMBLE
May 16, 2019

The Nicholls softball team got the monkey off its back — finally.

But it was the wrong monkey, the McNeese State monkey.


The other one still haunted the team this weekend at the Southland Conference Tournament.

The Colonels lost in the Finals of the Southland Tournament for the third-straight season this past week, falling to Sam Houston State in the finals 2-1 — another close, hard-fought exit for a team that’s been starved to reach the NCAA Tournament in the past several seasons under coach Angel Santiago.

But in the process, the Colonels did finally eliminate the Cowgirls from the tournament — the opponent who had long been the thorn in the side of the Colonels in their recent run.


The losses end the Colonels’ season with a 34-22 record, two victories short of their ultimate goal.

“Postseason is the best time of year, so I’m very thankful for every moment of it,” pitcher Megan Landry said. “It’s a time that demands passion and grit from every player, which creates the best atmosphere of play. Although the week didn’t end like we hoped, we left everything on the field, and now, I get to look back on my college career with pride and gratitude.”

The Colonels had their moments on the weekend.


Nicholls opened the tournament on Wednesday with a mercy-rule, 9-0, five-inning victory over Northwestern State, sending the host team into the loser’s bracket for the weekend.

Senior pitcher Megan Landry was lights out for Nicholls in the win, tossing a complete-game shutout, allowing just four hits in 84 pitches — the first of a marathon weekend for the senior pitcher.

In that win, Landry became the all-time winningest pitcher in Nicholls history, recording her 79th career win, surpassing a long-time mark set by Laura Davis who played in Thibodaux from 1982-85.


The Colonels’ offense tattooed Demons’ pitching, plating two runs in both the second and third innings before a five-spot in the fourth blew the game open. Caitlin Garcia did some of the most significant damage, launching a three-run home run in the fourth inning rally. She also had a pair of sacrifice fies in a five-RBI day.

That victory pushed Nicholls into the biggest game of the tournament — a Thursday afternoon date with Sam Houston State in the finals of the winner’s bracket.

The winner of that game would be in the catbird’s seat for the entire tournament and would have to get beaten twice by whoever would emerge from the loser’s bracket.


And it was one hell of a game with Sam Houston winning 2-0 in extra innings.

The Colonels and Bearkats battled one another tooth and nail — one of the more thrilling games of the entire season.

Landry was flawless, retiring Sam Houston in order in the 4th-through-7th innings to give Nicholls a chance.


But Bearkats hurler Lindsey McLeod was just as good, keeping the Colonels off the scoreboard, which sent the game to extra innings in a scoreless tie.

In extras, the Bearkats finally took over in the bottom of the ninth when Brooke Malia launched a walk-off, two-run home run to seal the win. She scored Tiffany Thompson who reached on an error.

That loss pushed Nicholls into a late-night, early-morning game with McNeese where the winner got to battle Sam Houston in the Finals — only this time, having to beat them twice.


The McNeese hurdle wasn’t a big problem. The Colonels started Emily Danehower and also used Alexis LaBure in that game, falling behind the Cowgirls 4-1 in the top of the third inning.

But Nicholls’ bats battered McNeese’s depleted pitching the rest of the game, scoring three in the bottom of the third, four in the bottom of the fifth and two in the bottom of the sixth to secure a 10-4 win.

Landry pitched in relief in the win, working the final four innings (58 pitches), allowing just two hits.


That win set the stage for round two with Sam Houston, which, unfortunately, had the same result for Nicholls.

Landry was brilliant again, stymying the Bearkats hitters for the first five inning — again in a scoreless tie.

Nicholls looked to get the edge when Amanda Gianelloni launched a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning, but then de ja vu struck again when Thompson and Malia both hit home runs in the bottom of the sixth to secure the conference title for Sam Houston.


Nicholls baseball wins key series, keeps Southland hopes in line.

The Nicholls baseball team got two

huge victories this weekend, defending their home field and keeping their hopes alive for the Southland Conference Tournament.


The Colonels lost their first game of the weekend to Stephen F. Austin, but then rebounded with two-straight wins – critical victories toward the team’s chase at making the Southland Tournament.

Nicholls’ work is not done.

The Colonels are currently No. 8 in the league standings with a 13-14 record.


Nicholls will travel and take on Abilene Christian this weekend in a pivotal matchup for the team’s hopes.

If the Colonels win that series, it is highly likely that they will remain in the Top 8 and punch their ticket to the Southland Tournament.

If they lose two of three, they could still make the field, but other teams would have the opportunity to jump them based on how the weekend results unfold.


Nicholls softball player Megan Landry hurts a pitch during a game this season. Landry was light out this weekend, but the Colonels fell a little bit short in their hopes of winning the Southland Conference Title.

COURTESY