Colonels walk-off twice in doubleheader sweep over SFA, stay unbeaten in SLC

THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University softball team stayed perfect in Southland Conference play with a dramatic doubleheader sweep against Stephen F. Austin, winning both games on walk-off hits Friday night at Swanner Field.

SFA (14-11, 3-2 SLC) tied the first game at 1-all with a solo home run in the seventh, but Kelsey Miller beat the throw home on an Amanda Gianelloni double in the bottom half for the 2-1 victory. In the nightcap, the Ladyjacks rallied again late with a 2-run homer in the sixth to tie it up at 3-3, but this time, Gianelloni came home to score as Jewel Lara doubled to center to complete the sweep.

Megan Landry (11-3) was outstanding in game one, with her only blemish coming on the solo shot to Margarita Corona. Landry limited SFA to four hits and struck out nine.

Nicholls (18-7, 5-0 SLC) and SFA were scoreless through three, but the Colonels broke the tie in the fourth on a Bailey Hughes single. Landry then allowed a hit in the fifth and retired the side in the sixth before surrendering her fourth hit of the game, a home run by Taylor Fraccastoro, which tied the score at 1-1.

In the bottom half, Miller led off the frame with a walk against Callee Guffey (4-4), and Gianelloni ended the game with a one-out double.

For game two, the Colonels jumped out to a 3-0 lead, fueled by two runs in the first. An error allowed the first run to score and Samantha Dares made it 2-0 with a single to plate Kasey Frederick. Nicholls then added a run in the third on a Gianelloni double.

SFA finally got to Alexis LaBure with a run in the fourth. LaBure was strong in her start, lasting 5.2 innings and struck out five before Fraccastoro homered for the second time in the doubleheader. Amanda Holliday pitched 0.2 innings in relief, and Landry also appeared to record the final two outs of the seventh.

Gianelloni started the seventh with a one-out walk. After Frederick moved her into scoring position on a groundout, Lara delivered her second walk-off hit with a double to left center for the 4-3 victory.

Both teams had seven hits, with Miller, Gianelloni and Lara recording two each for the Colonels. Clarissa Hernandez suffered the loss in 0.2 innings, while Makayla Sikes allowed six hits in six innings.

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Nicholls and SFA will wrap up the series Saturday with a single game at 1 p.m.