MONTGOMERY, Ala.- The ASU softball team defeated the Colonels of Nicholls State 8-1 on Friday afternoon, giving the Hornets their second win on the season. Senior Skyler Sullivan picks up her second win on the year, bringing her record to 2-3, while Alexis Labure is now 2-2 after being credited with the loss.

Jazmine Dodd and Taliya Talley led the way for the Hornets offensively, with the pair of juniors knocking in two Rounds Batted In (RBIs) each. Kindall DeRamus had a busy day on the bases, earning two hits and scoring two runs to go along with another RBI.

Nicholls State had opportunities to get on the board first, but instead, they left three runners on the base between the first and second innings. As a result, ASU scored in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to a pair of bad throws. First, the shortstop error, followed by DeRamus stealing second then advancing to third on a passed ball. DeRamus soon scored on a groundout from Kay McGlamry.

The Hornets continued the offense into the bottom of the third, as Morgan Gaither singled and made it to second after a forceout at third base and a throw to first resulted in a double play. After Gaither advanced to third on another passed ball from Nicholls State, DeRamus drove her in for the game’s second run.

Within a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth, the Hornets offense shifted into another gear, and it did not take long to load the bases. With Gaither at the plate, she hit a ground ball that led to an out at second but scored McGlamry for the third ASU run. With runners on the corners, Dodd hit a double to the left-center field, which cleared the bases and gave ASU a 5-0 lead. Before the inning ended, Alex Massie, who pinch-hit for Talley, hit a single to right field that scored the fourth and final run of the inning.

Nicholls State eventually scored their first and only run in the top of the sixth inning. However, ASU quickly got that run back and then some in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two more runs to give them eight of the day and solidify the victory.

It was a solid win for the Hornets as they opened up the UAB Tournament. Let us hope it is a sign of things to come, with their next game coming up Saturday, Feb. 27, against Eastern Illinois.