THIBODAUX, La.  – Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh, the Nicholls State University softball team led off the frame with back-to-back singles, but Sam Houston State was able to get out of the jam unscathed as the Colonels dropped the series opener on Saturday night at the Colonel Softball Complex.
 
The teams will wrap up the series on Sunday with a doubleheader scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
Hannah Haydel (7-5) took the loss, striking out five batters in seven innings of work. She allowed six hits, with half of them coming in the fourth which led to the game's only runs.
 
Sam Houston (6-15, 1-3 SLC) got a leadoff double from Ashley Goetz in the inning, and the Bearkats plated their first run when Jennie Kieval blooped a single over the shortstop. SHSU added another run on a RBI groundout by Dani Allen.
 
Bearkat starter Taylor Atkinson (3-7) allowed six hits in six innings, with Danielle Phillips accounting for half with a 3-for-3 day. Her final two hits allowed came in the top of the seventh as Haley Parkerson and Kristen Ahearn led off with singles up the middle.
 
Lindsey McLeod came in to pitch for Sam Houston and delivered two consecutive strikeouts, getting Jessica Taylor and Moriah Strother out swinging. She then got Brooke Morris to pop out to short to end the game.
 
Taylor had the other hit for Nicholls, singling in the fifth in an 11-pitch at-bat. Bailey Watson and Breanna Homer led Sam Houston with two hits each.