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Box 2
 
HAMMOND, La.  – Coming off a tough loss in their second game of opening day, the Nicholls State University softball team bounced back on Saturday by allowing one run in their two games as the Colonels defeated former Southland foe Texas-Arlington, 4-0, before knocking off Alcorn State, 6-1, on Saturday at Chappapeela Park.
 
With the victories, Nicholls improved to 3-1 on the year. The Colonels will wrap up play in the Lion Classic on Sunday against Tennessee-Martin. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.
 
Game 1 – Nicholls 4, UTA 0
 
The Colonels used eight hits to score four runs, including a solo home run by Alexis Huss and Jackie Johnson threw six shutout innings in the circle as Nicholls shutout UTA, 4-0.
 
Johnson surrendered just one hit on the day and struck out two. Hannah Haydel pitched the seventh to close out the game.
 
Huss gave Nicholls a 1-0 lead in the third when the junior transfer led off the frame with a solo shot. The Colonels then extended their advantage to 3-0 in the sixth, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jessica Taylor and added another run on an error. The Colonels took advantage of another Maverick error in the seventh to plate one more insurance run.
 
It would be all the offense Nicholls needed as Johnson and Haydel combined for the Colonels' second shutout of the season.
 
Huss led the team with two hits and one RBI.
 
Game 2 – Nicholls 6, Alcorn State 1
 
Nicholls was held to just three hits against Alcorn State, but the Colonels were able to capitalize on two errors and eight walks to earn a doubleheader sweep on Saturday with a 6-1 win over the Braves.  
 
Taylor Hastings picked up the win for the Red and Gray, allowing three hits in six innings of work. She finished with six strikeouts, two walks and her lone run was unearned.
 
Alcorn State spotted the Colonels two runs in the first inning after walking the first three batters. Taylor drove home the first run on a sacrifice fly and another run came in for the 2-0 lead.
 
A Colonel error in the second led to an RBI single by Alcorn, cutting the deficit in half at 2-1. But in the third, more errant pitching led to a bases loaded walk by Haley Stevenson. Huss then came through with a 2-run single and Laura Neil added a sac fly to give Nicholls a 6-1 lead.
 
Hastings would cruise through the next three innings, not allowing a hit. Freshman Ashleigh Downing pitched the seventh and retired the Braves in order for the win.
 
Haley Parkerson and Taylor had the other hits for the Colonels.