THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team gets its second weekend of action underway in the annual Mardi Gras Mambo, held at the Youngsville Sports Complex.

Nicholls will take on Eastern Illinois (2 p.m.) and St. Thomas (4 p.m.) on Friday to open the tournament. The Saturday slate will be Georgia State (3 p.m.) and New Mexico (5 p.m.), followed by a 10 a.m. contest against SIUE on Sunday.

Nicholls is coming off a split in the Stinger Classic in the opening weekend, picking up wins against host Alabama State and Southern Indiana while falling to Lindenwood and Murray State. The Colonels racked up 37 hits in the four games, but also allowed 37 hits.

Following her breakout junior season, Claire Sisco continued where she left off with six hits and six stolen bases. Madison Moak and Lilianna Robledo each posted five RBIs, and Moak was one of two Colonels to have multiple doubles, joined by Gabby Higbee who belted three. Laylin Sturm posted the top batting average (.500) after finishing with four hits, five walks and two hit-by-pitches.

In the circle, Averi Paden and Ashley Little picked up the wins for the Colonels. Paden totaled 9.0 innings and had a 2.33 ERA while Little tossed 5.1 innings and struck out three. 

Nicholls has played Eastern Illinois and St. Thomas in the Mardi Gras Mambo in 2022 and '23. The Colonels took both games against EIU while splitting with St. Thomas. 

The Colonels last took part in the Mardi Gras Mambo in 2024 when they posted a 4-1 record.