THIBODAUX, La. – After putting in hours of work to the field following last night's rain and a delayed start due to the lights malfunctioning before the game, the Nicholls State University softball team fought through the distractions to run-rule Detroit, 9-1, in five innings Monday night at the Colonel Softball Complex.  
 
Nicholls (10-6) had nine hits in the win, led by a 3-for-3 day by Alexis Huss, who ended the game in the fifth with a RBI double. Kayla Prater had a double and two RBIs, while Jessica Taylor also drove in two.
 
For the second straight outing, junior Hannah Haydel needed little help as she held Detroit (1-9) to two hits and struck out 10 batters. Haydel's lone blemish was an unearned run in the first which the Titans scored on a base knock by Kayla Kostich.
 
But Detroit's lead did not last long as Nicholls plated two runs in its first at-bat. The Colonels also got some help from the opposing defense as they combined two hits with two errors for the 2-1 lead. Payton Gremillion scored one of her two runs on the night after coming home on an error and Prater gave Nicholls the lead with an RBI groundout.
 
In the second, Haydel struck out the side and the Colonels tacked on another run in the bottom half. Haley Stevenson doubled to start the frame and scored on a passed ball later in the inning.
 
Nicholls pushed its lead to 6-1 in the third with three more runs. Taylor ripped a 2-run single to center and Brooke Morris drew a bases loaded walk.
 
The Colonels squandered an opportunity to blow the game open in the fourth after leaving the bases loaded with no outs, but the team fought through the rain in the fifth to earn the walk-off victory. An error and a walk put two runners on before Prater found the gap in right center, bringing both runners home. Huss then delivered a shot to the same part of the field, allowing Prater to score to end the game.
 
Dayton Yingling took the loss for Detroit, allowing six runs – two earned – on five hits in two innings of work. The Titan defense did not do any favors for their pitching staff, racking up a total of six errors. On offense, Savanna Ferstle had the other hit for the Titans.
 
Nicholls will return to action on Tuesday, March 3, as they host Holy Cross for a doubleheader. First pitch at the Colonel Softball Complex is scheduled for 5 p.m.