Feb. 26, 2008

Box Score

HAMMOND, La. - The Colonels used a big five-run six inning to beat in-state and conference rival Southeastern La. 9-5 on Tuesday night to get their first win in conference play.

Senior Kat Harrell hit a big triple with two outs in the sixth to start the comeback with two RBIs that broke a 4-4 tie. Harrell's triple brought home freshman Whitney Roan who singled and sophomore Audrey Wood who walked after junior Danielle Clayton grounded out and Nicole Smith flied out to deep centerfield. The Colonels (6-7, 1-0) were not done there as sophomore Leah Bland singled to the left side to bring home Harrell to make the score 7-4.

Bland then scored on a wild pitch and senior Rachel Pugh hit an infield single to bring home junior Kodi Butler to round out Nicholls' scoring onslaught in the top of the sixth.

Southeastern La. (9-4, 0-1) responded in the bottom of the sixth with a run of their own, but a scoreless seventh inning by both teams lifted the Colonels to victory.

The Lions led 4-1 heading into the fifth inning until the Colonels put three in the books as Bland hit a double to centerfield that brought home two RBIs. Before that, sophomore Gabby Lemaire scored on a throwing error to round out Nicholls' three-run fifth inning.

In the circle, senior Krystalin Ensminger got the win after throwing four innings in relief in which she struck out five and only allowed one run. Ensminger improved to 3-3 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.

Leading the Colonels at the plate was Roan as she went 4-for-4, all singles, with three runs scored in the nine hole of the batting order. Going 3-for-5 with four RBIs was Bland and also putting together a 3-for-5 performance in the batter's box was Harrell as she accounted for two RBIs.

Nicholls will be back on the field tomorrow to close out their series against Southeastern La. with a doubleheader. The first game starts at 3 p.m. followed by the second at 5 p.m.