Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. – Houston Baptist run-ruled Nicholls State, 8-0, to take game one, and led 6-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth in game two, but the Colonels rallied for four runs to win the second game, 7-6, to split the doubleheader in the three-game series Thursday night at Colonel Softball Complex.

After a scoreless first inning in game one, HBU put a four-spot in the top of the second. Holly Webb hit a two-run RBI single down the left field line and Lauren Schwirtlich also had an RBI. Lauren Powers reached on an error, which scored Callie Herrington for the game's fourth run.

Daniella Rodarte and Melissa Herman each scored unearned, as the Huskies led 6-0 through three innings.

Neither team could score until the top of the sixth, when the Huskies scored twice to lead Nicholls State, 8-0, thanks to a two-run RBI double by Herman.

Nicholls State had two singles in the bottom of the sixth, but couldn't get a run across, as HBU took game one, 8-0, in six innings.

Herman went 2-for-3, with two RBI and one run scored for HBU. Webb also had a two-RBI game, while Rodarte scored twice. Sarah Shotton (3-4) went the distance in the circle, allowing four hits and one walk, while striking out seven.

Four different Colonels had a hit. Ashton Bennett (8-9) took the loss in the circle, allowing six hits, six runs (four earned), and one walk.

Game two went back and forth, as Nicholls State took a 1-0 lead, thanks to a first inning RBI single by Brittany Marcet.

The Huskies tied the game at one in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Shay Orsak. HBU took a 4-1 lead after a two-run top of the fifth, but the Colonels tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fifth and sixth.

After a scoreless seventh, the two teams went into extra innings. The Huskies put a three-spot on Nicholls State to lead, 6-3. Herman hit a sac fly that scored Herrington from third. With runners at second and third, Victoria Granchelli brought them home, with a two-run single up the middle.

HBU starter, Keely Shuler, allowed a double followed by a walk to start the bottom of the eighth, which put Kendall Stiefel in the circle for a save opportunity. But the next Colonel batter reached base on an error, which loaded the bases with nobody out. Following a strikeout, Maggie Bryan hit an RBI single followed by a two-run double by Alaina Guidry, which tied the game at 6-6. Still not out of the woods, the Colonels had runners at second and third. Leah Andrus singled through the right side, which brought home the winning run.

Lauren Schwirtlich, Granchelli, and Rodarte each had two-hit games. Granchelli and Orsak had two RBI apiece. Shuler started in the circle and got a no decision, allowing nine hits, five runs, and one walk while striking out four in 7.0+ innings. Stiefel (4-3) took the loss in relief, allowing three hits, two runs (zero earned) while striking out one in 0.2.

Andrus led Nicholls State with two RBI, while she, Ashley Bertot, and Marcet each had two-hit games. Hannah Haydel (6-6) earned the win in the circle, allowing nine hits, six runs (four earned), and five walks while striking out six.

The rubber game between HBU (13-12, 6-5 SLC) and Nicholls State (14-18, 5-6 SLC) is at 3 pm Friday.