Game Breakdown
The Nicholls Colonels came up short against the No. 17 ranked LSU Tigers on Tuesday at Swanner Field in Thibodeaux 12-2.
The Colonels (12-11 overall) defense began strong, forcing two early outs; before giving up consecutive hits, leaving a runner on first and second. The Tigers’ (18-7 overall) Alix Franklin got up to bat and earned a 2-2 count. She connected with the next pitch and sent it to the wall for a triple that scored two runs.
In the second inning the Colonels got on the board when a single from Gabby Higbee turned into a double – scoring the runner on second base – after a field error by Char Lorenz.
After a defensive third inning, the scoring opened up again in the fourth. After Franklin got her second of three hits, Kylee Edwards hit a single up the middle that allowed her to score. With Edwards and Ciella Pickett hitting between Franklin, and Edwards on base, Avery Hodge stepped to the plate. With a 2-2 count, she hit her first home run of the season scoring three runs. A scoreless bottom by the Colonels had the score at 6-1 in favor of the Tigers.
In the fifth inning Lorenz, Gradie Appling and Rylie Johnson loaded the bases; Edwards got up to bat and the pitch hit her, giving her the walk and scoring Lorenz. Pickett got up next and got hit by the pitch as well, allowing Appling to advance home and pushing the Tigers lead to 8-1.
The sixth inning was scoreless for both teams; but the Tigers turned the heat back up in the seventh. Edwards and Destiny Harris got on base; Jaila Lassiter came up to bat and with a full count she hit a single to left field that allowed Edwards to score from second base. Sierra Daniel came up next; she hit a triple to right field, scoring two more runs. Lorenz came up for her final at bat and brought Daniel home with a double to right center field.
The Colonels never stopped competing though. Gabby Higbee hit a double to right center field that brought in Kayleigh Lugowski from first base, giving herself and the team its second RBI of the day. After the score, the Tigers struck out one more batter to win the game 12-2.
Analysis
The Colonels finished the game with three hits, two runs and zero errors. Head Coach Ron Frost said that their main focus on defense is taking care of the softball and he was proud of how his girls did that tonight.
“Regardless of everything else, you still have a chance if you can keep a zero in that error card,” said Frost.
Despite no errors from the Colonels, the score of the game finished more lopsided than the prior matchup with the Tigers. The Colonels lost 3-1 after struggling to consistently hit the ball and getting on base, which made it nearly impossible to score.
“We really really struggled at swinging at strikes.” Frost said.
“LSU does a good job moving the ball around the zone, and we have to really make sure that we focus on swinging at strikes because that’s a big part of being a good hitter.”
Frost emphasized that the result is not always most important but the effort and work that he sees from his team. He said it is important to him that his players finish every game strong, regardless of the score board. He highlighted that scheduling tougher opponents, such as ranked teams, equips his team to better handle pressure when they face adversity.
“I just want them to be ready and battle tested. So when we get to those tough moments, we’ve been through them already,” Frost said.
Looking Ahead
The Colonels look to get back on track on Wednesday when they take on the Jackson State University Lady Tigers in Jackson Miss.
Frost emphasized to his team that the LSU game is over and that they have to move on to the game ahead, “It’s the ones in front of you that matter the most,” he said.
Frost’s message to his team going forward is about focusing on their response.
“One thing I’ve learned about life is you’re going to get punched in the mouth;“It’s about how you respond, how you come back and what you make of it.”
