Nicholls Softball: Colonels sweep San Jose State in Lion Classic; fall to NIU in finale

HAMMOND, La. – The Nicholls State University softball team took down San Jose State for the second straight time, but the Colonels came up short in closing out the Lion Classic with a 2-0 day as they fell in the finale against Northern Illinois Sunday at North Oak Park.

The Colonels finish opening weekend with a 3-2 record. They split with Southern Illinois, swept SJSU and lost the only meeting with NIU.

GAME 1 – Nicholls 4, San Jose State 2

Amanda Gianelloni and Kennedy Hebert each drove in a pair of runs and it was more than enough for Alexis LaBure, who tossed all seven innings as Nicholls defeated San Jose State, 4-2.

LaBure (1-1) was spotted a four-run lead before the Spartans cut the deficit in half with two in the sixth. With the bases loaded, she allowed one to come in on a wild pitch and SJSU added the other on a fielder’s choice.

In the seventh, one runner reached on a throwing error with one out, but LaBure fielded a hard grounder up the middle and started a 1-6-3 double play to end the game. Nicholls turned three double plays in the win.

For the offense, the Colonels had seven hits with Gianelloni and Melise Gossen tallying two each. Gianelloni gave Nicholls a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI double to left. In the second, Gossen and Jewel Lara singled to set up a 2-run double by Hebert.

Gianelloni added another run in the fifth on a fielder’s choice, scoring Emma Holland who singled and stole second before moving to third on an errant throw.

GAME 2 – Northern Illinois 2, Nicholls 1

Megan Landry struck out 10 in a complete game effort, but a first-inning homer by Northern Illinois led the Huskies to a 2-1 victory to close out the Lion Classic.

Nicholls was held to four hits against two NIU pitchers, scoring only once in the fifth on a two-out single by Holland. The Colonels put the leadoff runner on base in four of the first five innings, however, they were retired in order in the sixth and seventh.

Kasey Frederick had two of the Colonels’ hits, leading off the third and fifth innings with a single and a double, respectively. Along with Holland, Gianelloni also singled.

NIU was led by Jenny Van Geertry, who was responsible for the 2-run shot in the first. It was her third homer of the weekend.

Landry (2-1) took the loss, allowing five hits in six innings. Mackenzie Bryan (2-1) earned the win for NIU, while Alex Frenz was credited with a save in 3.0 innings of relief.

UP NEXT
Nicholls makes its home debut Wednesday (Feb. 13) against Southern Miss. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Admission to all Colonel home games at the Swanner Field is free of charge.

FOLLOW ALONG
The Colonel softball team can be followed all season long on Twitter @Nicholls_SB.