THIBODAUX, La. – Looking to continue one of its best starts in recent history, the Nicholls State University softball team will head to Montgomery, Ala. this weekend for five games in the Black and Gold Tournament, hosted by Alabama State.
The Colonels (6-1) are coming off a doubleheader sweep over Jackson State in their home debut Wednesday night, winning 7-4 and 6-4. Nicholls received strong outings in the circle from
Hannah Haydel and
Megan Landry in the circle, while the offense continued to produce at a high level.
Nicholls' batting average, runs scored and runs allowed have been lopsided in comparison to the opposition this season. The Colonels are hitting at a .368 clip with 42 runs scored, averaging six runs per contest. The pitching staff has allowed just 16 runs (12 earned) for a 1.87 ERA, while the opponents' ERA is at 6.17 and the teams are hitting just .195.
Haydel (1.66 ERA) and Landry (0.00 ERA) both have three wins on the year, with Haydel suffering the team's lone loss last Sunday. Haydel has struck out 26 batters in 25.1 innings, while Landry had 15 Ks in 16.1 innings.
After seven games,
Payton Gremillion and
Amanda Gianelloni head the offense with 10 hits each. Gianelloni, coming off a 4-for-4, 3-RBI outing, is tied with
Alexis Huss for the team lead in RBIs at eight.
Brooke Morris has a team-high nine runs to go along with nine hits.
The Colonels' three opponents this weekend will be Alabama State, Middle Tennessee State and UMBC (Maryland Baltimore Country). Alabama State heads into the tournament with a 1-6 record after losing its last four. ASU defeated Eastern Michigan, but lost its next two before being swept in a doubleheader at Southern Miss on Wednesday.
Middle Tennessee (2-3) also brings a losing streak into the weekend, having lost its last two in the FGCU Kickoff Classic. The Blue Raiders picked up wins over FGCU and Memphis, but ended the weekend with setbacks against Kent State and UIC.
UMBC (0-4) has yet to win a game in the young season, falling twice to Loyola Maramount and Grand Canyon in the GCU Kickoff Tournament.
Live stats for all five games will be available
here.
Complete Schedule| Date | Time | Opponent |
| Friday, Feb. 19 | 12 p.m. | vs. Middle Tennessee State |
| Friday, Feb. 19 | 2 p.m. | @ Alabama State |
| Saturday, Feb. 20 | 1 p.m. | @ Alabama State |
| Saturday, Feb. 20 | 3 p.m. | vs. Maryland Baltimore County |
| Sunday, Feb. 21 | 12 p.m. | vs. Middle Tennessee State |
