Softball: Colonels push winning streak to 9 with DH sweep of HBU

THIBODAUX, La. – Senior Kasey Frederick hit two home runs and drove in four runs while classmate Megan Landry threw a complete game in the opener and picked up the save in the second as the Nicholls State University softball team extended its winning streak to nine games with 4-2 and 3-2 victories against HBU Friday at Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park.

The doubleheader sweep keeps the Colonels in first place in the Southland at 14-3 and improves their record on the season to 25-16.

Frederick provided the offense in game one as she belted two home runs, including a two-run shot in the opening inning. After HBU evened the score with a run in the fourth and fifth innings, Frederick gave Nicholls the lead right back with a solo homer to left.

The Colonels added an insurance run in the seventh on a Samantha Mracich single.

Landry (19-8) struck out three in seven innings, allowing just five hits. One of the hits was a solo homer by Caitlyn Brockway in the fourth inning.

In game two, freshman Emily Danehower fanned a career-high nine batters and improved to 4-0 on the season.

HBU scored in the first against Danehower, but Nicholls took the lead after plating a run each in the second, third, and fourth innings. The first came home on a Corynn Major groundout, then Frederick doubled home Amanda Gianelloni in the third for a 2-1 advantage. Gianelloni had a hit in both games, extending her hitting streak to nine.

The Colonels got a gift for the final run when HBU dropped a routine popup at third, allowing Bailey Hughes to score from second. The run turned out to be crucial after HBU pulled within one in the fifth on a Brockway single to left.

HBU threatened to take the lead in the sixth by loading the bases with two outs. Danehower issued a leadoff single to Demin Janak and after retiring the next two, left the game for Alexis LaBure. The Huskies drew two walks to load the bases, and the Colonels turned to Landry to take over in the circle. Heidi Jaquez battled Landry to a full count before a popup behind the plate was snagged by catcher Kali Clement to end the inning.

Things were much easier in the seventh for the Colonel ace as she retired the Huskies in order for her first save since her sophomore campaign.

Emma Guindon took the loss for HBU, despite holding the Colonels to four hits. Only one of her runs were earned, and she struck out two. On offense, Janak and Brockway had two hits each for HBU.

ON DECK
Nicholls wraps up its 13-game homestand with the series finale against HBU on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

FOLLOW ALONG
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