MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - The Nicholls State University softball team ended the Madeira Beach Tournament Sunday with a walkoff victory against Mercer, earning a 4-3 win in the bottom of the seventh.

The Colonels (3-8) finished the weekend at 2-3 after dropping Sunday's first matchup against Southern Illinois, 7-5. Caitlin Garcia homered twice in the loss and drove in four RBIs, but it wasn't enough to overcome a decisive three-run sixth for the Salukis. 

Against Mercer, the Bears led 2-1 after two innings before Kennedy Hebert hit a solo homer to tie the game in the third. The teams traded runs in the fifth to set up the dramatic finish. 

A leadoff walk by Samantha Dares put things into motion, and Riley Dunn pinch ran and stole second. Garcia was hit by a pitch, bringing Hebert to the plate with two on and no outs. Hebert singled to short and on the play, Kenlie Harvey had a wild throw to second and the ball went into the outfield, allowing Riley to score the winning run. 

Emily Danehower threw all seven innings for the victory, scattering nine hits while striking out one. Hebert, Corynn Major and Allie Amerson all had two hits for the Colonel offense.

In the SIU loss, Nicholls outhit the Salukis, 14-8. Gossen led the way with three, and Hebert, Garcia, Emma Holland and Samantha Mracich added two apiece. 

Taryn Westbrook suffered the loss with three earned runs on five hits in 3.1 innings of relief. 

UP NEXT
Nicholls will play in Thibodaux for the second time this season, hosting Southern University on Tuesday, Feb. 18. First pitch at Swanner Field at GeoSurfaces Park is scheduled for 6 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonel Softball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_SB).

Back-to-back. 💪

Caitlin Garcia launched homers in the 3rd and 5th innings today against Southern Illinois.

🎥 @FloSoftball #GeauxColonels pic.twitter.com/979nGpQlzS

— 🥎Nicholls Softball🥎 (@Nicholls_SB) February 17, 2020