March 24, 2001

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, La. - Two costly errors produced four unearned runs for Nicholls State as the Lady Colonels defeated Samford University, 4-2, in the first game of the Janette Spell Memorial Tournament at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday afternoon.

Nicholls State (17-18) scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning aided by a throwing error by Samford starter Erin Landsburg. Monica Hebert delivered an RBI-single which scored Julie Rodriguez with the Colonels second run.

Samford (12-22) pulled to within 2-1 with a run in the top of the fifth inning. Jennifer Graham led the inning off with a double to right centerfield. She would score on a sacrifice fly by Michelle Dickey.

In the bottom of the fifth, with Nicholls State runners at first and third with two outs, Rodriguez hit a ball to the Samford shortstop Mindy Shunnarah. Shunnarah's flip to second baseman Rebekah Phillips was not handled cleanly allowing one run to score. Kristi Blanchard then doubled home the fourth Nicholls State run.

The Bulldogs bounced back in the top of the sixth with four straight singles by Michelle Ashley, Shunnarah, Abi Casillo, and Janet Middleton. Middleton's single scored Ashley. Michelle Wright then hit a line drive which was caught by pitcher Duffi Matherne. Matherne then got Graham to hit into an inning ending double play to end the threat.

Samford will face the University of Louisiana- Lafayette at 6 p.m. tonight.