April 24, 2010

Final Stats

NATCHITOCHES, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team split Saturday's doubleheader with the Northwestern State Lady Demons, winning the first 6-5 and falling in the second 4-3 at Lady Demon Diamond.

The Colonels (24-15, 14-9 Southland) trailed the Lady Demons (23-22, 9-14 Southland) by four runs after three innings in the first game, but then roared back to take a 5-4 advantage with a five-run fourth inning.

The first three runs of the inning came via a three-run homerun by freshman Ashton Bennett, and the two came courtesy of another homerun, this one a two-run shot by freshman Katie Holmes.

After a scoreless bottom half, Nicholls continued to add to its lead in the top of the fifth as Bennett came up with another bomb over the fence, marking her second of the day.

Northwestern State responded in the bottom half with a run of its own, however, that would be all the team could muster for the rest of the day as Nicholls went on to win 6-5. Leading the Colonels to victory was Bennett with a 2-for-4 performance that included two homeruns, four RBI and two runs scored.

Also standing out at the plate in the first game was Holmes with 2-for-4 showing that included a homerun, two RBI and a run scored. Senior Lacey Gros got the win and improved to 12-5 on the season. Gros scattered seven hits in the complete game that led to five runs - three earned - and fanned nine.

In the second game, both teams were in a scoreless affair through four innings until the top of the fifth when Nicholls scored a run on a RBI single through the middle by sophomore Megan Gaspard that scored sophomore Lauren Martinez to take a 1-0 lead.

The Colonels continued to add to its lead when senior Natalie Travasos hit a line drive base hit into leftfield that was mishandled, which plated senior Audrey Wood from second making the score 2-0.

Then sophomore Laine Strickland drew the bases loaded walk to give Nicholls the 3-0 advantage heading into the bottom half.

After picking up one in the bottom portion, Nicholls led 3-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh, and Northwestern State scored three runs - two unearned - to get the victory. The final two runs came via a passed ball that brough home two Lady Demons to give the home team the victory.

Picking up the loss in the game was Wood as she fell to 5-5 on the season. Wood tossed a complete game and only gave up three hits, four runs - two earned - and two walks. She also struck out seven.

Leading Nicholls at the plate in the loss was Wood, Travasos, and sophomore Kayla Watterson as all had two hits.

Nicholls and Northwestern State will play its rubber match tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m., and fans can follow the game live on the internet via www.thibodauxonline.com.

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