Softball begins 2018 season

The Nicholls State University softball team began the 2018 season this past weekend in the Black and Gold Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama after inclement weather cancelled the Lion Classic.

OPENING DAY
The Colonels found themselves in a defensive struggle Friday against the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Mastodons.

With the game still scoreless after seven innings, an international tie-breaker rule where one runner goes to second base to begin the inning allowed the Mastodons to escape with a 1-0 victory. Senior infielder Jenna Balthazor’s hit brought that runner in for the winning score.

Soon after the defeat, the Colonels faced the Appalachian State Mountaineers and won handily by a score of 4-1.

Despite trailing 1-0 after three innings, Nicholls finished the game on a 4-0 run, aided with the stellar pitching of juniors Megan Landry and Amanda Holliday, who combined for 12 strikeouts.

SATURDAYS ARE FOR THE DUBS
Next, the Colonels played against the Holy Cross University Crusaders and went into extra innings.

The Colonels found themselves on the beneficiary of the international tiebreaker rule when they were able to bring their second base runner home for the 4-3 win.

Later that afternoon, the Red and Gray shut out the Akron Zips 6-0 to complete a sweep of their two Saturday opponents.

WEEKEND WRAP-UP
When Sunday came along, the Colonels faced their final opponent in the Black and Gold Tournament, the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders.

The Raiders defeated the Colonels 4-0 to remain undefeated that weekend and also outscored their opponents by a combined total of 25-4.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Colonels (3-2) are scheduled to travel to Mississippi to play against Alcorn State for two games Tuesday. The game times are set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.