THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team used three solo home runs and a strong effort in the circle by Molly Yoo and Averi Paden to win the series finale, 5-1, against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Wednesday at Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park.

Nicholls (26-18, 14-7 SLC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after four straight hits in the first inning. Then in the second, Nevanna Smith hit a solo home run to left for a 3-0 advantage.

In the fifth, Erin Krause crushed a homer to right off the top of the hitting facility and Kayleigh Lugowski went back-to-back with a deep shot into the parking lot in left field.

Molly Yoo picked up the win, allowing one run on four hits and struck out two. Averi Paden tossed three innings, giving up three hits en route to her first save of the season.

Krause, Lugowski and Lilianna Robledo led the offense with two hits each. Nicholls totaled 10 hits with five coming in the first inning.

In the opening frame, Claire Sisco doubled and scored on a Madison Moak base hit. Krause reached on a bunt single before Lugowski ripped a single through the left side for a 2-0 advantage through the first four batters. But a double play helped AMCC limit the damage.

After Smith homered for a 3-0 advantage, the Islanders got the run back in the fourth. Skylar Hager doubled to start off the frame and a run later scored on a wild pitch.

The Islanders threatened to tie the game in the fifth with two on and no outs, but Paden struck out two batters to keep the score at 3-1. Nicholls then added the insurance runs on the back-to-back homers by Krause and Lugowski. 

Holly Ayala took the loss with three runs on six hits in an inning of work. Hager led the AMCC offense with a 2-for-4 day at the plate. 

On Deck
Nicholls will host Southeastern for its final home series, starting with a doubleheader on Friday, April 17. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.