Final Stats 1 LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Nicholls State University softball team plated four runs in the top of the sixth to take game one of Saturday's doubleheader against McNeese, 5-4, but could not take the series after being shutout in the rubber match, 3-0, Saturday at Cowgirl Field.
 
The teams combined for 12 hits in the first game, with each team accounting for six. None of the hits were bigger than Haley Parkerson's bases loaded two-run double in the top of the sixth which gave Nicholls a 4-3 lead. Danielle Phillips added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly, and it proved to pay dividends as McNeese had a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh.
 
But with two out and one on, Hannah Haydel (5-12) was able to force a fielder's choice to end the game.
 
Parkerson led Nicholls at the plate with two hits while Olivia Van Hook and Brooke Morris added an RBI each.
 
The Colonels saw themselves down 3-0 after the second inning when Lauren Langner drove in a pair on a single to left. Nicholls got one back in the fourth after an error allowed pinch runner Cheyenne Naquin to score.
 
In the sixth, Nicholls took advantage of three walks to make the score 3-2. Van Hook drew a bases loaded walk for an RBI before Parkerson came through with her clutch double.
 
Haydel, who kept McNeese off the board for four straight innings, gave up a home run to Allana DiVittorio with one out before closing out the game for the victory.
 
In the night cap, McNeese's Jamie Allred held the Colonels to three hits and fanned six as the Cowgirls took the series two games to one.
 
Morris, Colleen Levy and Camille Rozas all had singles for the Colonels. Jackie Johnson (9-15) took the loss, pitching two innings with two earned runs on four hits.
 
McNeese used two hits and capitalized on two Colonel errors in the second to score all three runs, and it proved to be more than enough for Allred. Nicholls was retired in order in three of the final five innings, including a 1-2-3 seventh.
 
The Colonels will play their final home series of the year next weekend, taking on Northwestern State for a three-game set. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m., and Sunday's Senior Day is slated for 1 p.m. as well.