Box Score

THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University softball team earned its first Southland Conference series victory Sunday, defeating Stephen F. Austin 2-1 on a walkoff single by Brittany Marcet.

The Colonels improve to 13-17 on the year and 4-5 in conference. SFA falls to 10-20 and 3-6 in the SLC.

Senior Ashton Bennett (8-8) had another solid outing in the circle, going the distance to pick up her eighth win of the season. Bennett gave up just one unearned run on four hits and struck out four. The Baton Rouge native also drove in the game's first run on a line shot in the fourth.

With the game knotted at 0-0 after three and a half innings, Leah Andrus started off the fourth for Nicholls with a base hit to center. Marcet then laced a double to right center, which was a foot short of going out of the park. With runners in scoring position, Bennett sent a rocket up the middle that bounced off SFA pitcher Carlie Thomas, allowing Andrus to score.

After the Colonels left the bases loaded in the fifth, SFA tied the game with an unearned run in the sixth. In the bottom half, the Colonels squandered a chance to take the lead after loading the bases again, this time with no outs. Thomas picked up a strikeout before Morgan Wilson grounded into a double play to end the threat.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the seventh, Ashley Bertot led off the inning with a single to right before Andrus reached on a fielder's choice. Marcet then ripped a ball through the right side, allowing Bertot to come home for the walkoff victory.

Nicholls had nine hits on the day, with Bertot, Marcet and Alaina Guidry finishing with two each. Danielle Phillips also had a hit in the game, stretching a blooper to center into a double in the sixth.

Thomas (7-9) took the loss for SFA, finishing with four strikeouts in six innings. Elizabeth Arana led the Ladyjacks with two hits, giving her six for the weekend.

Nicholls closes out its longest homestand next week, hosting Houston Baptist for a three-game series. Thursday's doubleheader is scheduled for 5 p.m.

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