HAMMOND, La. – A six-run fourth inning was all the offense the Southeastern Louisiana softball team would need in a 6-4 Southland Conference victory over Nicholls Friday evening at North Oak Park.
 
In the series opener between the two hottest teams in the league, the Lady Lions (18-11, 5-2 Southland) matched their season-long winning streak with their sixth straight victory. With the win, SLU snapped a nine-game Colonel winning streak and handed Nicholls (19-8, 6-1 Southland) its first Southland loss of 2018.
 
Southeastern was led at the plate by seniors Kinsey Nichols (3 RBI) and Mahalia Gibson (2 RBI). Senior Rachel Hayes (6-5) won her fourth straight decision in the circle for SLU. She and sophomore Tanner Wright combined to hold the Colonels to eight hits.
 
Hayes and Nicholls junior ace Megan Landry (12-4) matched zeroes until the Lady Lions broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nicholls threated in the second, third and fourth innings, but left six runners on base over those three frames, as Hayes deftly pitched out of trouble.
 
Southeastern started the sixth with consecutive singles by Gibson and junior Rebecca Skains. Sophomore Mattie Ort followed with a line out to left field. SLU senior Peyton Sutton, who pinch ran for Gibson, got caught straying from second, but moved to third when Nicholls freshman Bailey Hughes dropped the ball during the run down.
 
With runners on the corners with one out, McCoy hit a line shot right at Nicholls junior Amanda Gianelloni for the second out. Gianelloni tried to double up Sutton at third, but her throw sailed wide, allowing Sutton to score the game's first run. After freshman Ella Manzer walked, senior Alli Daigle loaded the bases when Nicholls freshman Jewel Lara's throw was off the mark for the inning's third error.
 
Nichols followed with a three-run double into the left centerfield gap to clear the bases and chase Landry from the game. Nicholls freshman reliever Alexis LaBure issued consecutive walks to senior Maddie Edmonston and junior Jaquelyn Ramon to load the bases. Ramon beat out the force at second on a grounder by Gibson to allow two more runs to score, extending the SLU lead to 6-0.
 
Nicholls got on the board with one out in the top of the fifth inning. Junior Kali Clement and Gianelloni hit consecutive solo home runs to end Hayes' outing. Wright retired the next two Colonels to keep the Lady Lion advantage at 6-2.
 
Nicholls made one last rally in the top of the seventh inning. Clement hit a two-run home run to cut the SLU lead to 6-4 with one out. Wright battled back to retire Gianelloni and junior Kasey Frederick to secure the victory.
 
The series closes with a noon doubleheader on Saturday at North Oak Park. LionVision subscribers will be able to access a live video stream of the twin bill at www.LionSports.net/watch. Saturday is Youth Day, as all fans 12 and under will receive a discounted ticket.