March 26, 2010

Final Stats

THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team took two games from Central Arkansas on Friday afternoon to clinch the series, winning both games by the score of 3-2 in the Colonels Softball Complex.

"Our team responded well to the adversity today. We knew coming in that UCA was well coached and that their win-loss record was a bit deceiving," said Head Coach Jenny Parsons. "We will need to keep this momentum for tomorrow."

The Colonels (17-9, 10-4 Southland) were led by senior Lacey Gros in the circle both games, compiling a total of 14 strikeouts between the two contests. Gros got the win the first game to improve to 9-3, and came in the second for relief and provided the Colonels with a victory and her third save of the season.

In the first game, both teams laid scoreless until the third when Central Arkansas took a 2-0 lead on a two RBI double by Kasey Britt down the right field line. The score would remain that way until the bottom of the sixth when Nicholls got a two-run homerun from senior Audrey Wood. Wood finished the first game with a 1-for-2 showing at the plate that included a homerun, two RBI and a run scored.

The Bears (14-19, 3-7 Southland) failed to respond in the top of the seventh, leaving the door for the drama to unfold in the bottom half for the Colonels and it did.

True freshman Ashton Bennett led off the inning with a double down the right field line, which eventually led to a RBI single up the middle by sophomore Megan Gaspard up the middle to plate Bennett from second to win the game. Gaspard finished the first game 2-for-4 with a RBI.

In the second game, Nicholls drew first blood in the bottom of the first courtesy a RBI double to left centerfield by sophomore Kayla Watterson to score senior Lyndsay Mesh from second. Mesh, batting in the two-hole, finished the second game 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Watterson was 1-for-2 with a run and a RBI in the win.

Central Arkansas came back in the top of third to tie the game via Britt single thought the left side to score Lindsey Barsoum from third to tie the game. Britt was a combined 3-for-5 with two RBI between the two games.

Nicholls responded in the bottom half with a two-spot to take a 3-1 lead on a two RBI single through the left side to score Watterson and Mesh. Bennett went 3-for-6 with a RBI and run between both games.

The Bears came within one in the fifth, scoring on a RBI single by Katie McGregor to make the score 3-2, however, despite their best efforts to rally late, UCA fell short at their comeback bid in the game as they left a total of four runners on base in the final two innings.

Wood got the win in the second game, improving to 5-1 on the season. The Lawton, Okla. native tossed five innings, surrendering five hits and giving up two runs and fanning one.

Nicholls and Central Arkansas will close out the series tomorrow with first pitch set for 1 p.m. Fans can follow all the action live statistically on the internet at www.geauxcolonels.com via GameTracker.

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