HAMMOND, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team had trouble figuring out SEMO starter Rachel Rook, as the Colonels had just one hit in a 5-2 loss Sunday to close out the Lion Classic at North Oak Park.

Although Nicholls (1-3) tallied only one hit and three total base runners, Alexa Poche' broke up the no-hit bid in the sixth in exciting fashion with a two-out, 2-run home run. Kennedy Hebert reached base on an error before Poche' sent an 0-1 pitch over the right center wall for the lone Colonel hit of the game. Unfortunately, the long ball was not able to rattle Rook as she retired the next four batters, including striking out the side in the seventh. 

Rook fanned 15 Colonels in the complete game, allowing only a Melise Gossen walk in the first five innings. Although she was hitless today, Gossen led Nicholls with a .500 batting average in the opening weekend.

SEMO (3-2) scored all of its runs in the second inning against Kennedy Hebert. Four of the runs crossed the plate with two outs, including a 2-run single by Kat Sackett. Hebert finished with four walks and surrendered five hits in 1.2 innings. 

Freshman Paris Lehman had a solid outing in relief, tossing 4.1 shutout innings with two hits allowed. 

UP NEXT
The Colonels will head to Lafayette for a Tuesday matchup against nationally-ranked Louisiana. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.