THIBODAUX, La. - Alexa Poche' crushed a 2-run home run in the first inning, but that would be the only runs scored for the Nicholls State University softball team as the Colonels suffered their second straight run-rule setback at home, falling 12-2 in five innings against South Alabama Wednesday night at Swanner Field.
South Alabama (17-17) totaled 15 hits en route to earning a season sweep of the Colonels. The Jaguars started with a three-run first inning and after leading 7-2 heading into the fifth, added five more runs to put the run-rule into play.
Brittney Turner (5-13) suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs on five hits in 3.0 innings. She gave up five hits in the first, resulting in three runs for the visitors.
But Nicholls (10-29) got two of the runs back on the eighth homer of the season by Poche'.
Danielle Duplay drew a leadoff walk and Poche' followed with a deep shot over the centerfield wall.
South Alabama extended its lead to 4-2 in the third thanks to a solo home run by Kamden Kvistad. Then with
Paris Lehman pitching in the fourth, USA added three more runs on three hits. Belle Wolfenden highlighted the inning with an RBI single.
Lehman left the game in the fifth after allowing an RBI double to Meredith Keel. But
Taryn Westbrook was unable to slow down the Jaguar offense as they pushed the lead to 12-2, ending the game in five innings.
Allie Hughen picked up the win with two earned runs on three hits in 4.0 innings.
Melise Gossen and
Julia Kramer each singled for the Colonels.
Caroline Nichols paced USA with a 3-for-3 day at the plate.
ON DECK
Nicholls will wrap up its seven-game homestand with a Southland series against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m.
