Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – The Nicholls State University softball team made a late rally at South Alabama on Wednesday night, but would come up short as they were defeated 3-2 at Jaguar Field.

Trailing by a run in the top of the seventh, Nicholls (6-10) used a one-out single by Mandy Granger to bring the tying run to the plate. Following a strikeout, the Colonels put two on after an error and a hit-by-pitch. With the bases loaded, Laine Strickland drew a walk to make the score 3-2, but the Jaguars would force a fly out to escape with the victory.

The Colonels finished with four hits on the night, led by Megan Gaspard with two. Along with Gaspard, Granger and pinch-hitter Jackie Burri were the only players to record a hit.

Ashton Bennett (3-5) suffered the loss, throwing 2.1 innings, giving up three earned on five hits. Carlee Winkleman came out of the bullpen for 3.2 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out one.

The Colonels struck first in the third, started by a leadoff single by Gaspard. Ashley Ray and Brittany Marcet each drew walks, and a free pass by Granger made the score 1-0. However, with the bases loaded and no outs, South Alabama (13-3) stifled the threat to hold the deficit to just one.

The Jaguars plated three in the third to take the lead. Following two singles, USA evened the score on a wild pitch. Another single gave the Jags the lead, and a fielder's choice extended the advantage to 3-1.

Nicholls would load the bases once again in the seventh, but were unable to bring home the tying run.

The Colonels open up their 2011 home and Southland Conference schedule on Saturday when they host Sam Houston State for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.