THIBODAUX, La. – Behind a five-run first inning and another masterful performance in the circle from
Megan Landry, the Nicholls State University softball team held a sizable 7-0 advantage over Northwestern State before
Samantha Dares ended the game with a 3-run homer for a walk-off run-rule victory Friday night on Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park.
The Colonels (18-16, 7-3 SLC) and Northwestern State (18-17, 9-4 SLC) came into the series tied in the loss column in the Southland standings, but the visitors stood alone in first place by percentage points. Nicholls is now the lone team with only three losses.
Nicholls totaled 10 hits in the victory, led by
Amanda Gianelloni's 3-for-4 night at the plate. Dares had two hits with her other being a run-scoring triple in the first.
Kasey Frederick also tripled in a pair in the opening frame as the Colonels jumped out to a 5-0 lead.
Megan Landry (15-8) continued to be thee pitcher for the Colonels, tossing another six shutout innings and struck out seven. She walked just one while she extended her consecutive innings pitched streak to 34 with her fifth straight complete game, which includes three shutouts.
In the Colonel first, a total of 11 batters stepped up to the plate. Following Frederick's 2-run triple,
Kali Clement scored on a wild pitch. Dares' triple made it 4-0 and
Samantha Mracich singled in the final run for the 5-0 advantage.
With Landry cruising in the circle, Gianelloni ripped a double into the left-center gap to push the Colonel lead to 7-0 in the third. Mikayla Brown held Nicholls scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings before Dares' fourth homer of the year ended the game.
E.C. Delafield took the loss for the Lady Demons after allowing three earned runs without recording an out. Brown struck out five in 3.1 innings of relief.
ON DECK
Nicholls and Northwestern State wrap up the series at 1 p.m. with a Saturday doubleheader at Swanner Field.
FOLLOW ALONG
For the latest news on Colonel Softball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_SB.
