THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University softball team (8-17) hosted No. 25 Louisiana State University on Wednesday night at the Colonel Softball Complex, and much like the first matchup, the Tigers capitalized on Colonel mistakes to defeat Nicholls 8-0 in five innings.

The Tigers (18-12), coming off back-to-back wins against SEC-foe Kentucky, took advantage of a pair of walks, a hit-by-pitch, and two errors in the third inning to swell their one run lead to 8-0. It would be all the LSU pitching needed as they held Nicholls to two hits en route to its second run-rule victory over the Colonels.

Ashley Ray accounted for both hits, singling in the third and fifth innings. Tsade Joubert reached twice on walks while Brittany Marcet also drew a walk.

Ashton Bennett (5-7) was tagged with the loss, giving up five earned in 2.2 innings of work. Bennett struck out one while walking three. Katie Moulder came in for relief, throwing 2.1 innings, giving up two hits while fanning two.

LSU put a run on the board in the second on a solo shot to left center before putting the game out of reach with the seven-run third. Three hits would plate the first three runs and a bases loaded hit-by-pitch made the score 5-0. The Tigers scored their final three runs off two Colonel errors.

Meghan Patterson pitched three innings for LSU, giving up a hit with six strikeouts. She improves her record to 6-1.

LSU finished the day with seven hits, each by a different player.

The Colonels return to Southland play this weekend with a three-game set at the University of Texas-Arlington. Saturday's doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m.