THIBODAUX, La. - Following another road series victory, the Nicholls State University softball team will look to continue its solid play away from Thibodaux as the Colonels head to Southern Miss on Wednesday for the second game of a home-and-home. First pitch in Hattiesburg is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Nicholls (19-16) won two of three contests at Lamar over the weekend, knocking the Cardinals out of first place while maintaining their own position in the top half of the standings at fourth. The Colonel offense exploded for 28 hits in the series but could only push across seven runs including none in the finale. 

Averi Paden notched both victories in the circle in relief, totaling 11 innings pitched for the series. Audrey McNeill tossed 11.2 innings in the opener but was tabbed with a no decision. She finished the weekend with 13 strikeouts in 17.2 innings. 

The 13-inning win in the opener was the second extra-inning affair for the Colonels in a span of three games. The first was a nine-inning victory at home against Wednesday's opponent, the Golden Eagles. Nicholls led 5-1 heading into the sixth before Southern Miss rallied with runs in the final two innings to tie the game, forcing extras. Then in the ninth, senior Mckenzie Champagne capped off her outstanding day at the plate with a walk-off homer. She was later named Southland Hitter of the Week after going 4-for-4 as she started and finished the scoring with a solo home run. 

Southern Miss (15-18) is coming off a series loss at Troy, but closed it out with an impressive 10-1 victory. The Golden Eagles tied their season-high of 13 hits in the win. In the matchup against the Colonels on March 20, USM was limited to seven hits but Maria Smith had a big game with three hits including an RBI triple.

ON DECK
Nicholls returns home to host Texas A&M-Commerce for a three-game series, starting Friday, April 5 with a 4 p.m. doubleheader. 

The Colonels sit at 6-3 in league play while the Lions are searching for their first win at 0-12. Last season, Nicholls won the first two games at Commerce, 6-2 and 15-6, before falling in extra innings in the finale, 5-4.