THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University softball team will play its first game under first-year head coach Justin Lewis, taking part in the annual Lion Classic starting Friday, Feb. 10 at North Oak Park. 

Nicholls will play four games in the season-opening event, playing Alabama A&M and SEMO twice each over three days.
  
Friday, February 11
3 p.m. - Nicholls vs. Alabama A&M
 
Saturday, February 12
11 a.m. - Nicholls vs. Alabama A&M
1 p.m. - Nicholls vs. SEMO

Sunday, February 13
11 a.m. - Nicholls vs. SEMO
 
Outfielder Kennedy Hebert heads the returners after batting .302 last season with a team-high 18 RBIs. Hebert also paced the team with eight doubles and two triples. Lulu Vazquez had the highest average at the plate with a .412 clip, starting 12 of her 19 games played. 

Utility Melise Gossen was the lone Colonel to be named to the Southland Preseason, landing on second team. She and Hebert were two of the three Colonels who started all 40 games in 2021. Gossen hit .233 on the year with five doubles and 16 RBIs.
 
In the circle, Taryn Westbrook and Brittney Turner return to go along with newcomer Paris Lehman. Westbrook notched three victories in 12 starts and 22 appearances, positing a 5.41 ERA  in 67.1 innings. Turner tossed 15.2 innings and finished with a 5.81 ERA.

The tournament marks the 11th time in the last 12 years that the Colonels have started the season in the Lion Classic. Nicholls was 3-0 in the '21 edition, highlighted by a 17-1 run-rule win over South Dakota. 

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