THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University softball team scored two runs in the opening frame against South Alabama to grab an early lead, but the Colonels were held to just three hits the rest of the way as the Jaguars defeated Nicholls, 8-2, on Tuesday evening at the Colonel Softball Complex.

With the loss, Nicholls (1-8) drops its fifth straight contest and comes up empty in its home opener for the first time since 2008. South Alabama improves to 4-3 and has won its last three.

Rachel Moore brought in both runs for the Colonels, driving in Ashley Bertot and Ashley Ray on her first career triple. Bertot and Ray also had singles on the day, with Megan Gaspard and Kat Angeles adding a hit each.

Katie Moulder (1-3) was tagged with the loss, lasting 5.2 innings. The sophomore gave up five earned on seven hits and struck out two. Ashton Bennett came out of the bullpen for 1.1 innings, giving up one earned on two hits.

In the Colonel first, Bertot led off with a bunt single, followed by a one-out walk from Ray. Moore, who is second on the team with eight RBIs, belted a triple over the right fielder to give Nicholls a 2-0 advantage.

Moulder cruised through the first three innings before running into a jam in the fourth. After a leadoff error, South Alabama cut the lead to 2-1 on a fielder's choice before loading the bases with one out. Moulder forced a pop up in the infield for out number two and then fanned the next batter to escape the inning.

In the fifth, the Jaguars took the lead for good with a three-run inning. One of four Colonel errors on the day led to the first run, then Christin Crocker hit a two-run shot to left field to give USA a 4-2 lead.

South Alabama would add two more runs in the sixth and seventh as Hannah Campbell cruised to a complete game, finishing the day with eight strikeouts.

Nicholls will return to action on Wednesday when they host Alcorn State. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.