THIBODAUX, La. - Erin Krause and Lilianna Robledo each homered while Molly Yoo tossed a complete game as the Nicholls State University softball team claimed a 5-3 victory in the series opener against McNeese on Friday night on Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park.

With the win, Nicholls (17-12, 5-2 SLC) snapped a six-game skid in the series and it was also just the second win in the last 16 matchups with McNeese (20-10, 4-3 SLC). The series will conclude on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM.

Nicholls outhit McNeese, 8-6, and the two solo home runs turned out to be the deciding factor. After the Cowgirls scored in the first inning on a groundout, Krause launched her third home run of the season over the right field wall to tie the game at 1-1.

In the third, Laylin Sturm walked and stole second, setting up an RBI single up the middle by Madison Moak. Then in the following frame, Robledo belted a solo shot to left for a 3-1 advantage. The Colonels ended up loading the bases in the inning and added another run on a Gabby Higbee fielder's choice.

In the fifth, Yoo gave up a leadoff walk before an error on a missed tag gave McNeese an extra out. Maddie Taylor took advantage with a two-run double to center field to bring the Cowgirls within a run. 

McNeese threatened to tie the game in the sixth after a one-out double, but Yoo left the runner stranded on third with a looking strikeout to end the frame. Sturm then added an insurance run with an RBI single to left.

The Cowgirls led off the seventh with another double before Yoo forced three grounders to finish off the complete game.

Yoo struck out three and walked three in 7.0 innings of work. Taylor took the loss with five runs in 6.0 innings and struck out two.

Reagan Helfin was the lone Colonel with two hits and had a triple in the win.