YOUNGSVILLE, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team defeated Gardner-Webb in its opening game of the Mardi Gras Mambo at the Youngsville Sports Complex Friday before falling in extra innings to St. Thomas.

The Colonels will continue play on Saturday with games against Florida A&M and Toledo.

GAME 1 - Nicholls 11, Gardner-Webb 4

Molly Yoo picked up with first career win with a complete game and the Colonel offense racked up 10 hits in an 11-4 victory over Gardner-Webb.

Yoo scattered nine hits, struck out one and walked one. She also gave up two free passes on hit-by-pitches.

Abby Andersen led the offense with three hits and Erin Krause added two. Melise Gossen drove in a pair of runs in the sixth on a 2-run homer. 

GAME 2 - St. Thomas 4, Nicholls 3 (8 inn.)

Nicholls rallied with two runs in the fifth to tie Game 2 against St. Thomas, but were outscored 2-1 in the extra inning in a 4-3 loss.

St. Thomas led 2-0 going into the fifth before Claire Sisco singled up the middle for two RBIs. Nicholls loaded the bases with two singles and a hit-by-pitch to set up Sisco's game-tying hit. With one out and the bases loaded, the Colonels were unable to grab the lead.

Nicholls also had the winning run on third base in the seventh with two down but a groundout ended the frame.

St. Thomas broke the tie in the extra inning, bringing in the first run on a RBI groundout by E. Cook. Bennett then doubled for a 4-2 lead. In the bottom half, Gossen drove in a run via a groundout but a flyout ended the game. 

Audrey McNeill made the start in the circle and tossed 7.0 innings, allowing one earned run on six hits. She struck out six and walked four. Averi Paden took the loss after surrendering one earned run and one hit in the eighth.