THIBODAUX, La. - As the lone senior for the Nicholls State University softball team,
Melise Gossen homered to tie the game in the seventh inning before
Alexa Poche' delivered the game-winning hit in the eighth as the Colonels swept HCU with a 2-1 victory on Senior Day at Swanner Field at GeoSurfaces Park.
Nicholls (27-22, 13-11 SLC) was held in check through six innings by HCU starter Ronni Grofman before Gossen blasted the first pitch in the bottom of the seventh over the left field wall and into her own personal Senior Day cheering section. After
Audrey McNeill took care of the Huskies in the eighth, freshman
Sydni Stevens dropped a leadoff single into shallow center field. An error put another runner on before
Erin Krause moved both into scoring position with a flyout to right. Then with a full count, Poche' laced a single to left center for the Colonels' second straight walkoff victory.
With the win, Nicholls earned its first league sweep of the season. The Colonels won five conference series and sit in third place after being voted to finish last in the preseason poll. The Red and Gray also secured their first winning campaign since 2019.
For the game, the only run in the first six innings came in the opening frame. A leadoff error made way for an RBI single up the middle by HCU's Hailey Savage. But McNeill would shut out the Huskies the rest of the way, finishing with eight strikeouts while allowing six hits and no walks.
Nicholls had a few opportunities to score against Grofman but the Huskies ended the threats with two more double plays. The HCU defense turned a total of four double plays in the three-game series.
Looking for her first hit in her home finale, Gossen wasted no time in the seventh with her ninth home run of the season. HCU turned to Lyndie Swanson after the homer and she retired the next three batters to send the game into extras.
McNeill worked a perfect eighth, getting the final two outs via looking strikeouts. Poche' then notched her second eighth-inning walkoff hit at home this season.
Poche' led the offense with two hits, doubling with two outs in the fourth inning. Gossen's homer gave her a Senior Weekend cycle as she totaled a single, two doubles, a triple and a home run in the series.
McNeill improved to 12-8 on the season after tossing 15 innings in the series with only one unearned run. The eight strikeouts on Saturday matched her season high.
ON DECK
Nicholls will have next weekend off before heading to Lake Charles for the Southland Conference Tournament. The Colonels will be the No. 3 or 4 seed, depending on next week's results. The opening day of the tournament is Tuesday, May 9.
