Pair of three-run second innings spark Nicholls softball to sweep of Commerce

The Nicholls softball team may have figured out the key to sweeping double-headers – score three runs in the second inning.

Nicholls scored three runs in the second inning of the second game for a 3-0 lead on its way to a 4-2 win. The Lady Colonels trailed 2-0 in the first game before a three-run second inning put them on top 3-2 on the way to a 6-2 victory.

Meanwhile, Nicholls s Averi Paden and Audrey McNeill both went the distance, each allowing only one earned run.

“The offense is still a work in progress,” Nicholls coach Justin Lewis said. “I’m not super thrilled with it, but like we’ve been doing all year or pitching has been giving us a chance. If you can pitch in this game, you’ve got a chance to win, and we’re doing that at a pretty high level right now. The offense is working through some stuff, and hopefully, it keeps getting a little bit better and peaking any day now would be nice.”

Alexa Poche was hit by a pitch to open the bottom of the second inning for Nicholls. Abby Andersen followed with a ground ball but was able to beat the throw of the Lions’ shortstop to first base. Carmela Muccilli moved both runners over with a sacrifice fly.

A run-scoring ground out by Brynne Songy drove in the first run of the game.

An infield hit by Samantha Gwiazda past shortstop drove in the next run.

After Claire Sisco was hit by a pitch, Reagan Heflin followed with a single to center field to make it 3-0.

The lead gave Paden a nice, early cushion to work from.

“Whenever we score first, that just gets me really pumped up and it makes me so much more confident out there knowing that my hitters have got me. Whenever we’re ahead, I can just feel much more relaxed and I can be confident and just do my thing,” Paden said.

Commerce (0-14 in the SLC, 7-35 overall) cut the deficit to 3-1 in the fourth inning when Kasey Kuyrkendall reached base on a two-out error and came in to score on a double by Stephanie Tapia.

Nicholls (8-3 in the SLC, 21-17 overall) got the run back in the fifth inning.

With runners on second and first and two outs, Muccilli walked to load the bases. Texas A&M-Commerce pitcher Destiny Martinez tried to pick Erin Krause off of third base, but an errant throw allowed Krause to score.

While Nicholls ended up getting a sweep over a team that entered the three-game series with only seven6-2 wins all season, there were some anxious moments in the seventh inning of the second game.

With two outs, Tehya Pitts singled past third base. Diamond Sefe followed with a double that bounced over the left center field fence for a ground-rule double, momentarily saving Nicholls a run.

Charli Anger followed with a single to left center to score Pitts to make it 4-2.

Left fielder McKenzie Champagne, who had three hits and drove in two runs in the first game, gunned down Sefe at the plate on the play to end the game.

“That ball was just kind of shallow coming forward. I had to get her at home,” said Champagne.

“It was a great throw. It was perfect and was what we needed. It was getting kind of hairy there right at the end. For her to come up and make a perfect throw, it bailed us out,” Lewis said.

Champagne wasn’t the only Nicholls player to provide a few defensive gems. Gwiazda, the Nicholls shortstop, made several plays from deep in the hole on the infield and a few in the shallow outfield.

They were efforts appreciated by Paden.

“My shortstop’s amazing,” Paden said. “It’s so nice having a defense that I can see the ball off the bat and I’m like, ‘Sam’s got it,’ or anybody’s got it. I’m so proud of my outfield. Kenzie made that really good throw to end the game. The whole field all around, we’re pretty solid.”

Paden (6-2) got the win. She allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, on seven hits and two walks, while striking out two.

“Our pitchers have been pretty good. We’re getting good opportunities. We’re getting to pitch through some stuff for our hitters, too. We’re in a pretty good place for conference and all of our games the rest of the year.,” said Paden.

Nicholls 6, Texas A&M-Commerce 2: The Lions held an early 2-0 lead but would not score again as the Lady Colonels went on to take the first game of the double-header.

Texas A&M-Commerce scored runs in each of the first two innings to take a quick lead.

Tehya Pitts opened the game with a single to right center field. An error by Nicholls third baseman Erin Krause on a ball hit by Diamond Sefe put runners on the corners. A single to left by Charli Anger gave the Lions a 1-0 lead.

A hit in the infield by Kasey Kuyrkendall caused Nicholls first baseman Reagan Heflin to field the ball. With no one covering first base, Kuyrkendall reached base safely on an infield hit. A single by Isabella Arzola put runners on the corners with one out.

Ashlynn Griffith was out at first base on a groundout but Kuyrkendall beat a throw to the plate, giving Commerce a 2-0 lead.

Nicholls wiped away the deficit with three runs in the bottom of the second inning.

Mckenzie Champagne opened the inning with a single to left center field. After a fly out by Abby Anderson, a sacrifice bunt by Laylin Sturn advanced Champagne to second base.

After Lilianna Robledo walked, a single by Brynne Songy drove in the first run of the game for Nicholls.

Claire Sisco was hit by a pitching, causing the Lions to replace starting pitcher Julia Sanchez with Anissa Arredondo.

A liner just over the glove of extended Commerce shortstop Emmie Miehe by Heflin drove in two runs to give Nicholls a 3-2 lead.

The early deficit, said Champagne, was not a major concern.

“I don’t think we were too nervous about that. We know Audrey will go out there and shove. She was just getting settled in, and we know our offense can come back and score those runs,” said Champagne.

Nicholls extended the lead on a run-scoring double by Andersen in the third inning and two in the sixth on a two-run single by Champagne – her third hit of the game.

“I’ve just been seeing the ball really well, not trying to do too much at the plate, just really focusing on swinging on good pitches and being on time,” Champagne said.

McNeill (9-10) picked up the win. She allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, on five hits and one walk, while striking out three.

After the second inning, McNeill allowed only one hit and one walk.

“Audrey took a little longer than normal to get settled in. I don’t think she was real good early, but then she settled in and it’s like what aces do. If you’re gonna score on them, you better get them early,” said Lewis.

Sanchez (4-9) suffered the loss. She allowed three runs on three hits and one walk in 1 2/3 innings.