THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team scored nine runs across the first two innings as the Colonels cruised to a 10-0 victory in five innings against Alcorn on St. Patrick's Day at Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park.

Nicholls (16-12) totaled 13 hits en route to its second run-rule victory in as many weeks. Claire Sisco posted a 3-for-3 day at the plate while Madison Moak and Ally Mooneyham also had multi-hit games.

Averi Paden notched the win with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings. She allowed two hits and did not surrender any free passes.

After Paden retired Alcorn in order, Nicholls totaled six hits in the first inning. Erin Krause started the scoring with an RBI groundout and Reagan Heflin followed with a run on her fielder's choice. Gabby Higbee made it 3-0 with a run-scoring single up the middle, then Laylin Sturm slapped a single to left for the final two runs of the frame.

In the second, Moak and Krause delivered back-to-back run-scoring doubles for a 7-0 advantage. Heflin found space through the right side for an RBI single and Nevanna Smith snuck a base hit down the third-base line to make the score 9-0.

For the final run, Mooneyham doubled down the left field line and scored on a Sydni Stevens groundout.

In the fifth, Alcorn had a hit off of Lexi Dulany and took advantage of two Colonel errors to fill the bags but could not prevent the shutout.

ON DECK
Nicholls will host McNeese for a three-game series, starting on Friday, March 20 with a 6:00 p.m. first pitch. Friday's contest in the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Pinkout Game.