Final Stats

THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University softball team plated three in the bottom of the sixth to come within a run of Sam Houston State, but the Bearkats tacked on one more run to hold off the Colonels, 6-4, on Friday night at the Colonel Softball Complex.

Ashton Bennett led the Colonels (4-17, 0-1) at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Bennett capped the sixth inning with a single to right field, scoring two to make the score 5-4 Bearkats.

Sam Houston State (7-13, 1-0)  built its lead via the long ball, hitting two home runs which included a three-run shot by Kim Damian in the fifth, giving the Bearkats a 5-1 lead.

The Colonel rally started when Kat Angeles led off the frame with a base hit to left. Following a walk by Ray, who scored in the fourth on a Bennett single, Rachael Hugghins hit a bloop single to right to make the score 5-2. Bennett then drilled a base knock to right to score Hugghins, and Nicholls tacked on one more on the play after a throwing error.

After Sam Houston added an insurance run in the seventh, the Bearkat's Tomi Garrison finished her complete game by retiring the Colonels in order, giving Sam Houston a 6-4 win in the conference opener.

Katie Moulder pitched a complete game for the Colonels, giving up four earned on nine hits with two strikeouts. Garrison surrendered three earned on seven hits, while fanning four.

The Colonels will wrap up the series against Sam Houston on Saturday at noon. Following the game, Nicholls will host a Women's Night at the Ballpark.