Courtesy of the Southland Conference
CONWAY, Ark. – Nicholls starting pitcher
Megan Landry scattered four hits in a complete game performance to lead Nicholls into the 2017 Southland Conference Softball Tournament championship, defeating host Central Arkansas on Friday 4-2 at Farris Field in Conway, Ark.
Immediately turning around from its 7-4 win over Northwestern State, the Bears carried their momentum into the contest with the Colonels, going ahead first. Shortstop Kate Myers doubled down the leftfield line to score right fielder Morgan Felts in the bottom of the second.
Nicholls evened the score in the top of the fourth when shortstop
Amanda Gianelloni crossed the plate after designated player
Jessica Taylor reached on a throwing error by third baseman Audrey Pratt and advanced to second. Centerfielder
Kasey Frederick singled up the middle to score right fielder
Samantha Mracich and put the Colonels up 2-1 in the top of the fifth. Three batters later, Gianelloni walked with the bases loaded to score third baseman
Sydney Bourg and give Nicholls the two-run lead.
Catcher
Veronica Villafranco sent a bomb over the leftfield fence, extending the lead 4-1 heading into the bottom frame of the game.
Bears' pinch hitter Lauren Brooks doubled down the left field line to score Felts and cut the deficit to 4-2, but it would not be enough as Landry would strikeout the next batter and then induce the fly out to end the game.
The Bears' Kayla Gomness tossed her second complete game of the day, pitching a complete game in all four of her tournament outings. She finished the game with six strikeouts.
Nicholls will take on top-seeded McNeese for the championship at 11 p.m. Friday. The Colonels dropped Thursday'scontest to the Cowgirls 11-2 in six innings.
The championship round will be an exclusive presentation of ESPN3, which can be viewed via WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app with Mycoskie and former Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Kati Morse on the call.
