Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – Junior Danielle Phillips came through with a game-tying two-run single in the bottom of the sixth against No. 22 South Alabama, but the Jaguars put any hopes of an upset to rest with a five-run seventh to hand Nicholls a 7-2 loss on Wednesday afternoon at the Colonel Softball Complex.
 
With cold temperatures and the wind howling in, the teams combined for only eight singles in the pitcher-friendly conditions. South Alabama (8-2) had five of the hits with Nicholls (6-5) recording the other three.
 
USA cracked the scoring column in the third after taking advantage of an error and two walks. Hannah Haydel, who pitched 6.1 innings for the Colonels, had a quiet first two innings before running into trouble in the third. With two outs and the bases loaded, Chloe Rathburn ripped a Haydel offering right passed third base, bringing home two runs for the early lead.
 
USA pitcher Devin Brown, after serving up a single to Brooke Morris in the first inning, found her rhythm and retired the next 14 batters to head into the bottom of the sixth with a 2-0 lead. But Kristen Ahearn finally broke the streak with a leadoff single and the Colonels loaded the bases with two outs following walks by Laura Neil and Kayla Prater.
 
The Jaguars went to the bullpen with Kalen McGill, but Phillips fouled off four pitches before sending a shot up the middle to tie the game at 2-2.
 
In the top of the seventh, the Colonels went to the pen as well, bringing in Jackie Johnson. After walking three batters, coach Angel Santiago brought Haydel back in and she recorded the second out. But she would issue a bases loaded walk to surrender the lead. USA would tack on a pair of 2-run singles to extend its lead to 7-2.
 
The Colonels were then retired in order in the seventh to end the game.