MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Nicholls State University softball team bounced back from an 11-1 run-rule loss to North Alabama to defeat Alabama State in the second game, 7-5, to earn a Saturday split in the Black & Gold Tournament.

Game 1 - North Alabama 11, Nicholls 1 (5 inn.)

UNA exploded with a combined 11 runs in the third and fourth innings to run-rule the Colonels, ending their three-game winning streak.

Samantha Gwiazda was responsible for the lone Colonel run, driving in Danielle Duplay with a sacrifice fly. 

The Lions recorded five consecutive hits in the third against Brittney Turner (4-5), with two going for extra bases to take a 5-1 lead. In the fourth, a Haven Kirby solo homer started another big inning for UNA. After two more runs, the Lions put the run-run into play with a bases-loaded double that made it 11-1.

Nicholls had a Jacey Meade single in the fifth and loaded the bases with two outs but could bring a run home. 


Game 2 - Nicholls 7, Alabama State 5

The Colonels used a four-run third inning to take control against Alabama State and went on to end the day with a 7-5 victory.

With the game tied at 2-2, Kennedy Hebert started the frame with a run-scoring double. One run scored via an error and Meade put Nicholls ahead 5-2 with an RBI single to left. Alabama State had a wild pitch that allowed the final run to come home in the third. 

Hebert added an insurance run in the sixth on a fielder's choice before Alabama State scored three in the bottom half. In the seventh, Turner subbed in the game to pitch and struck out two en route to earning the save.

Paris Lehman (3-4) allowed two earned runs on six hits in 4.0 innings. Taryn Westbrook allowed the three runs in 2.0 innings, but all three were unearned. All three Colonels who pitched each had two strikeouts. 

Hebert led the offense with three hits and three RBIs, while Meade and Gwiazda had two hits apiece.