TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - With the game scoreless in the bottom of the sixth inning, Molly VandenBout continued her big week with a two-run single and Audrey McNeill was able to close out her complete game as the Nicholls State University softball team defeated Charleston Southern, 2-1, on Sunday to close out the Dugout Club Classic at Florida State. 

Nicholls (11-7) had just two hits in the victory but a pair of walks by freshmen Laylin Sturm and Madison Levsey helped fuel the decisive sixth. With two outs and first base open, Charleston Southern elected to pitch to VandenBout and she singled to right field for her ninth and 10th RBIs of the week.

In the top of the seventh, Audrey McNeill (5-5) ran into trouble after allowing a leadoff walk and a one-out single. The Buccaneers scored on a fielder's choice and moved the potential winning runs in scoring position on a groundout to third. But Erin Krause fielded a second straight grounder and fired to first for the final out to end the game.

Alexa Poche' had the other hit for the Red and Gray, leading off the second with an infield single. The only other Colonel to reach base was pinch-hitter Syndee Shelton who also drew a walk in the sixth against Neely Lamb. The CSU starting pitcher had a solid showing in defeat, striking out six in 6.0 innings.

McNeill was just as impressive as she went the distance and totaled four strikeouts while scattering five hits. She gave up two singles in the fourth but the threat was ended when catcher Brynne Songy recorded one of her two caught stealings. 

Charlee Yourman led the Buccaneers with two singles.

ON DECK
Nicholls returns home to host the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns on Tuesday, Feb. 27. First pitch at Swanner Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.