MOBILE, Ala. - Sophomore Emma Holland had three hits including her first career home run, but the Nicholls State University softball team was defeated 8-2 in both of its games Saturday in the Mardi Gras Invitational against Hofstra and No. 25 Illinois.

The Colonels (8-6) will wrap up the invitational on Sunday with a rematch against Illinois (9-2) at 9 a.m. before playing South Alabama at 1:30 p.m.

In the early game, Hofstra (1-5) limited the Colonels to three hits and held a 6-0 advantage after two innings at the plate. Veronica Villafranco drove in two for the Colonels in the bottom of the second with a double, but it would be the only runs for Nicholls in the loss.

Alexis LaBure (1-4) pitched 1.2 innings for the decision, allowing four earned runs on five hits. The Pride used four hits in the second to extend their lead to 6-0.

Mackenzie Suto (1-2) picked up the win for Hofstra with seven strikeouts in the complete game effort. Holland and Kali Clement were the other Colonels to record a hit.

For the second game against Illinois, the Illini exploded for eight runs in the first two innings and went on to win by the same score.

Nicholls had eight hits against Illinois, getting two each from Holland, Amanda Gianelloni and Riley Dunn. Holland accounted for the final run of the game with her first career home run.

Megan Landry (7-2) was tagged with the loss, surrendering all eight runs on eight hits - with five being home runs. She struck out two before leaving the game after 1.2 innings. LaBure had a solid outing in relief, scattering three hits in 4.1 shutout innings.

Annie Fleming paced Illinois at the plate with two home runs and three RBIs. Akilah Mouzon earned the win with three hits allowed in 3.0 innings.

FOLLOW ALONG
The Colonel softball team can be followed all season long on Twitter @Nicholls_SB.