THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team will close out its nonconference home schedule with the first of two meetings against South Alabama this season, hosting the Jaguars on Mardi Gras Tuesday at Swanner Field at GeoSurfaces Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Colonels (6-11) went 2-3 over the weekend in the Mardi Gras Mambo, picking up wins against Alcorn and Detroit Mercy. The three losses were against Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee, and ULM. 

Outfielder Kennedy Hebert continued her outstanding start to her sophomore season, hitting .500 for the week to increase her batting average to .437. She was one of three Colonels with eight hits this week, joined by Corynn Major (.352) and Melise Gossen (.373). Hebert and Caitlin Garcia are tied for the team lead with 11 RBIs.

As a team, Nicholls is batting at a respectable .287 clip. The Colonels have had 10 or more hits in six games this season, including twice over the past weekend.

In the circle, the Colonels are still a work in progress with a collective 6.09 ERA. Emily Danehower is 4-4 with a 5.30 ERA and 25 strikeouts, while Jordan Moon has 28 Ks in 22.1 innings, posting a team-best 3.63  ERA. Moon pitched in both victories over the weekend, earning a win against Detroit Mercy and a save vs. Alcorn. 

South Alabama carries a six-game losing streak into the matchup, with three of the losses coming against Southland Conference schools. USA lost last week to McNeese and twice this weekend against Stephen F. Austin. The final game vs. SFA was a 9-0 six-inning loss where the Jaguars were no-hit. 

Mackenzie Brasher is tops on the squad with a .364 batting average, while Katelyn Gruich is hitting .325 with 10 RBIs. Jenna Hardy has had the most work in the circle, totaling 44.2 innings with a 2-4 record and 3.29 ERA.

USA took the lone matchup against the Colonels in 2019, rallying for three runs in the seventh for a 3-2 victory. 

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