THIBODAUX, La. - Madison Moak hit a grand slam to highlight consecutive five-run innings for the Nicholls State University softball team and
Molly Yoo tossed a complete game as the Colonels run-ruled Stephen F. Austin, 10-1, in five innings on Saturday on Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park.
With the victory, Nicholls (12-10, 2-1 SLC) secured the Southland opening series against SFA (15-11, 1-2 SLC). The Colonels won the series last season on the road before the teams each won a game against one another in the SLC Tournament.
After a scoreless first, the Colonels piled up five runs in the second.
Laylin Sturm started the scoring with a 2-run single to left center. After an error allowed another run to come home, Moak roped a base hit through the right side for two more runs.
The Lumberjacks scored in the third thanks to a leadoff triple by Kaylee Paul, but Nicholls got the run back and more in the bottom half.
Gabby Higbee poked a double to right field for an RBI, then Sturm was hit by a pitch.
Claire Sisco reached on an infield single, setting up Moak with the bases loaded.
On the first pitch from Kai Hudson, Moak blasted a shot off the light pole in right center for her third home run and first grand slam as a Colonel.
Holding a 10-1 lead in the fifth, Yoo struck out two before allowing two singles. She then forced a groundout to close out the series finale in run-rule fashion.
Yoo struck out four batters in the complete game, allowing one earned run on seven hits. Jordyn Ages suffered the loss with four earned runs on six hits in 1.1 innings.
Moak drove in six runs in the victory and was joined by Higbee with two hits to lead the offense.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will host nationally-ranked LSU on Tuesday, March 10 at Swanner Field. The Colonels fell to the Tigers, 3-1, in the previous matchup in Baton Rouge on Feb. 27. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
