# 2024 Nicholls Colonels softball team

The 2024 Nicholls Colonels softball team represented Nicholls State University during the 2024 NCAA Division I softball season. The Colonels played their home games at Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park and were led by third-year head coach Justin Lewis. They are members of the Southland Conference. The team compiled a 31–26 overall record and a 16–8 record in conference play finishing in third place. As the third seeded team in the SLC tournament, the Colonels were 2–2 defeating seventh seeded Houston Christian 5–4 and fifth seeded Lamar 5–4$^8$. They were defeated by second seeded Southeastern Louisiana 1–4 and first seeded McNeese 3–4$^8$.

## Preseason
### Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 2, 2024. Nicholls was picked to finish third in the Southland Conference with 97 votes.
Coaches poll :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | McNeese State | 128 (16) |
| 2 | Southeastern Louisiana | 114 (2) |
| 3 | Nicholls | 97 |
| 4 | Lamar | 78 |
| 5 | Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | 72 |
| 6 | Northwestern State | 63 |
| 7 | Houston Christian | 49 |
| 8 | Incarnate Word | 30 |
| 9 | Texas A&M–Commerce | 17 |

### Preseason All-Southland team

Erin Kraus and Alexa Poche were named to the conference preseason first team.

#### First Team

* Lexi Johnson (SELA, SR, 1st Base)
* Erin Kraus (NICH, SO, 2nd Base)
* Haylie Savage (HCU, JR, 3rd Base)
* Reese Reyna (MCNS, JR, Shortstop)
* Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, SR, Catcher)
* Chloe Gomez (MCNS, SR, Utility)
* Audrey Greely (SELA, SR, Designated Player)
* Alexa Poche (NICH, SR, Outfielder)
* AB Garcia (HCU, SO, Outfielder)
* Erin Ardoin (MCNS, JR, Outfielder)
* Ashley Vallejo (MCNS, JR, Pitcher)
* Primrose Aholelei (TAMUCC, JR, Pitcher)

#### Second Team

* Crislyne Mareno (MCNS, JR, 1st Base)
* Mariana Torres (MCNS, JR, 2nd Base)
* Rylie Bouvier (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
* Brooke Davis (LU, SR, Shortstop)
* Ashlyn Walker (NWST, SR, Catcher)
* Sydney Hoyt (TAMUCC, SR, Utility)
* Cameron Niedenthal (LU, SR, Designated Player)
* Cam Goodman (SELU, SR, Outfielder)
* Ka'Lyn Watson (SELU, SR, Outfielder)
* Laney Roos (NWST, SR, Outfielder)
* Maggie Darr (NWST, SR, Pitcher)
* Shaelyn Sanders (MCNS, SR, Pitcher)

## Schedule and results

Legend :
| | Nicholls win |
| | Nicholls loss |
| | Postponement/Cancellation |
| Bold | Nicholls team member |
2024 Nicholls State Colonels softball game log :
Regular season (31–26) :
February (11–8) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record |
| Feb. 8 | at LSU* | | Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, LA | 0–8 5 inn | Sydney Berzon (1–0) | McNeill, Audrey (0–1) | None | SECN+/ESPN+ | 1,850 | 0–1 |
| Mardi Gras Mambo ||||||||||||
| Feb. 9 | vs. Green Bay* | | Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA | 11–1 5 inn | McNeill, Audrey (1-1) | P. Kringel (0–2) | None | | 60 | 1–1 |
| Feb. 9 | vs. North Dakota* | | Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA | 2–4 | Makaela Carr (1–0) | Yoo, Molly (0–1)) | None | | 101 | 1–2 |
| Feb. 10 | vs. Providence* | | Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA | 6–1 | McNeill, Audrey (2–1) | Tori Grifone (0–1) | None | | 111 | 2–2 |
| Feb. 10 | vs. UT Arlington* | | Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA | 8–4 | Paden, Averi (1–0) | Moreno, Jade (0–1) | None | | 101 | 3–2 |
| Feb. 11 | vs. Montana* | | Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA | 9–2 | McNeill, Audrey (3–1) | Brinka, Emmalyn (1–2) | None | | 123 | 4–2 |
| Houston Classic ||||||||||||
| Feb. 17 | at Houston* | | Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX | 1–5 | Nicole Bodeux (1-1) | McNeill, Audrey (3–2) | Paris Lehman (1) | ESPN+ | 268 | 4–3 |
| Feb. 16 | vs. UTSA* | | Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX | 7–0 | Yoo, Molly (1-1) | K. Schultz (0–5) | None | | | 5–3 |
| Feb. 16 | vs. UMass* | | Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX | 1–2 | Horton, Natalee (1-1) | McNeill, A. (3-3) | None | | | 5–4 |
| Feb. 17 | at Houston* | | Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX | 3–11 (5 inn) | Shelby Smith (4–0) | McNeill, Audrey (3–4) | None | ESPN+ | 449 | 5–5 |
| Feb. 18 | vs. UMass* | | Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX | 11–2 (5 inn) | Paden, Averi (2–0) | Streicher, H (0–2) | None | | | 6–5 |
| Feb. 21 | Alcorn State* | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 11–1 (6 inn) | VandenBout, Molly (1–0) | Ashanti Carter (0–1) | None | | 103 | 7–5 |
| Feb. 21 | Alcorn State* | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 8–0 (5 inn) | Paden, Averi (3–0) | Kiri Parker (0–1) | | | 103 | 8–5 |
| Dugout Club Classic ||||||||||||
| Feb. 23 | vs. FIU* | | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 11–1 | McNeill, Audrey (4-4) | BIRLING, Sydney (1–2) | None | | | 9–5 |
| Feb. 23 | vs. FIU* | | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 3–0 | Yoo, Molly (2–1) | AGES, Jordyn (1–2) | None | | | 10–5 |
| Feb. 24 | at Florida State* | 11 | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 4–5 | Allison Royalty (4–1) | McNeill, Audrey (4–5) | None | | | 10–6 |
| Feb. 24 | at Florida State* | | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 0–8 (5 inn) | Allison Royalty (5–1) | Yoo, Molly (2-2) | None | | | 10–7 |
| Feb. 25 | vs. Charleston Southern* | | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 2–1 | McNeill, Audrey (5-5) | LAMB, Nealy (2–1) | None | | | 11–7 |
| Feb. 27 | Louisiana* | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 2–8 | Sam Landry (3–5) | Paden, Averi (3–1) | None | | 213 | 11–8 |
March (8–8) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC record |
| Mar 1 | Louisiana–Monroe* | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 3–4 | Abrams,Victoria (6–2) | Yoo, Molly (2–3) | None | ESPN+ | 566 | 11–9 | |
| Mar 2 | Louisiana–Monroe* | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 5–4 | Yoo, Molly (3-3) | Nichols,Maddie (6–3) | None | ESPN+ | 564 | 12–9 | |
| Mar 2 | Louisiana–Monroe* | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 0–12 (5 inn) | Kassidy,Giddens (4–1) | McNeill, Audrey (5–6) | None | ESPN+ | 614 | 12–10 | |
| Mar 5 | at Southern* | Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA | – | (-) | Postponed (weather) | | | | – | |
| Mar 9 | at Northwestern State | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | 9–5 | Yoo, Molly (4–3) | Seely, Kenzie (5–6) | Paden, Averi (1) | ESPN+ | 228 | 13–10 | 1–0 |
| Mar 9 | at Northwestern State | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | 5–0 | McNeill, Audrey (6-6) | Darr, Maggie (4–6) | None | ESPN+ | 218 | 14–10 | 2–0 |
| Mar 10 | at Northwestern State | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | 2–0 | McNeill, Audrey (7–6) | Seely, Kenzie (5–7) | None | ESPN+ | 204 | 15–10 | 3–0 |
| Mar 13 | Ole Miss* | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 1–4 | Makenna Kliethermes (8–2) | Paden, Averi (3–2) | None | ESPN+ | 467 | 15–11 | |
| Mar 13 | Ole Miss* | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 1–9 | Catelyn Riley (2-2) | McNeill, Audrey (7-7) | None | ESPN+ | 202 | 15–12 | |
| Mar 15 | McNeese | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 1–4 | Sanders, Shaelyn (7–6) | McNeill, Audrey (7–8) | None | ESPN+ | 189 | 15–13 | 3–1 |
| Mar 15 | McNeese | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 1–0 | Yoo, Molly (5–3) | Schexnayder, Ryann (4–2) | None | ESPN+ | 122 | 16–13 | 4–1 |
| Mar 16 | McNeese | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 0–2 | Sanders, Shaelyn (8–6) | McNeill, Audrey (7–9) | None | ESPN+ | 190 | 16–14 | 4–2 |
| Mar 20 | Southern Miss* | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 7–6 (9 inn) | McNeill, Audrey (8–9) | Jana Lee (1–3) | None | | 124 | 17–14 | |
| Mar 26 | LSU* | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 2–10 | Raelin Chaffin (8–2) | Yoo, Molly (5–4) | None | ESPN+ | 703 | 17–15 | |
| Mar 28 | at Lamar | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 4–1 (13 inn) | Paden, Averi (3–2) | Mitchell, Karyana (10–2) | None | ESPN+ | 400 | 18–15 | 5–2 |
| Mar 29 | at Lamar | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 3–2 | Paden, Averi (5–2) | Mitchell, Karyana (10–3) | None | ESPN+ | 400 | 19–15 | 6–2 |
| Mar 29 | at Lamar | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 0–2 | Jolin, Sabrina (3-3) | McNeill, Audrey (8–10) | None | ESPN+ | 400 | 19–16 | 6–3 |
April (7–8) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC record |
| Apr 3 | at Southern Miss* | | Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS | 3–5 | Jana Lee (5-5) | Yoo, Molly (5-5) | None | ESPN+ | 617 | 19–17 | |
| Apr 5 | Texas A&M–Commerce | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 6–2 | McNeill, Audrey (9–10) | Sanchez, Julia (4–9) | None | ESPN+ | 101 | 20–17 | 7–3 |
| Apr 5 | Texas A&M–Commerce | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 4–2 | Paden, Averi (6–2) | Muller, Maddie (3–14) | None | ESPN+ | 101 | 21–17 | 8–3 |
| Apr 6 | Texas A&M–Commerce | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 8–0 (5 inn) | Yoo, Molly (6–5) | Muller, Maddie (3–15) | None | | 100 | 22–17 | 9–3 |
| Apr 10 | Southern* | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | – | (-) | Postponed | | | | – | |
| Apr 12 | at Houston Christian | | Husky Field • Houston, TX | 0–4 | Swanson, L. (5–6) | McNeill, Audrey (9–11) | None | | 300 | 22–18 | 9–4 |
| Apr 12 | at Houston Christian | | Husky Field • Houston, TX | 7–1 | (-) | (-) | | | | 23–18 | 10–4 |
| Apr 13 | at Houston Christian | | Husky Field • Houston, TX | 1–5 (10 inn) | Swanson, L. (6-6) | Paden, Averi (7–3) | None | | 400 | 23–19 | 10–5 |
| Apr 17 | at Louisiana* | 19 | Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA | 0–9 (6 inn) | Sam Landry (16–7) | Yoo, Molly (6-6) | None | | 1,164 | 23–20 | |
| Apr 19 | Southeastern Louisiana | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 1–3 | Blanchard, Cera (16–2) | Yoo, Molly (6–7) | None | ESPN+ | | 23–21 | 10–6 |
| Apr 19 | Southeastern Louisiana | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 4–3 | McNeill, Audrey (10–11) | DuBois, Ellie (12–4) | None | ESPN+ | 202 | 24–21 | 11–6 |
| Apr 20 | Southeastern Louisiana | | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 7–5 | McNeill, Audrey (11-11) | Comeaux, MC (3-3) | Yoo, Molly (1) | | 123 | 25–21 | 12–6 |
| Apr 25 | at Texas* | 1 | Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX | 3–10 | Czech, Estelle (8–3) | Paden, Averi (7–4) | Simpson, Sophia (2) | LHN | 1,625 | 25–22 | |
| Apr 26 | at Incarnate Word | | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | 3–11 (5 inn) | Larissa Jacquez (10–5) | McNeill, Audrey (11–12) | None | ESPN+ | 115 | 25–23 | 12–7 |
| Apr 26 | at Incarnate Word | | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | 3–4 | Maddy Blake (3–0) | Yoo, Molly (6–8) | None | ESPN+ | 115 | 25–24 | 12–8 |
| Apr 27 | at Incarnate Word | | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | 4–2 (9 inn) | McNeill, Audrey (12–11) | Samantha Portillo (8–4) | None | ESPN+ | 170 | 26–24 | 13–8 |
May (3–0) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall record | SLC record |
| May 3 | Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 2–0 | McNeill, Audrey (13–12) | Aholelei, Primrose (15–10) | None | 177 | 27–24 | 14–8 |
| May 3 | Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 7–1 | Yoo, Molly (7–8) | Saenz, Ariella (2–6) | Paden, Averi (2) | 201 | 28–24 | 15–8 |
| May 4 | Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 1–0 | McNeill, Audrey (14–12) | Williams, Malia (3-3) | None | 201 | 29–24 | 16–8 |
Post-Season (2–2) :
Southland Tournament (2–2) :
| Date | Opponent | (Seed)/Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | Tournament record |
| May 7 | vs. (7) Houston Christian | (3) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | 5–4 | Paden, Averi (8–4) | Swanson, Lyndie (10–8) | None | ESPN+ | 322 | 30–24 | 1–0 |
| May 8 | vs. (2) Southeastern Louisiana | (3) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | 1–4 | Blanchard, Cera (18–2) | Yoo, Molly (7–9) | None | ESPN+ | 456 | 30–25 | 1–1 |
| May 8 | vs. (5) Lamar | (3) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | 5–4 (8 inn) | Yoo, Molly(8–9) | Mitchell, Karyana(13–9) | None | ESPN+ | 322 | 31–25 | 2–1 |
| May 9 | vs. (1) McNeese | (3) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | 3–4 (8 inn) | Sanders, Shaelyn (20–10) | McNeill, Audrey (14–13) | None | ESPN+ | 520 | 31–26 | 2–2 |
    Schedule source:
*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

## Conference awards and honors
### Post-season All-Southland Conference Teams

Reglin Heflin was named as a conference first team member. Abby Anderson was named as a second team member.
Player of the Year: Victoria Altamirano, UIW
Hitter of the Year: Ka'Lyn Watson, Southeastern
Pitcher of the Year: Shaelyn Sanders, McNeese
Freshman of the Year: Alexis Dibbley, McNeese
Newcomer of the Year: Shenita Tucker, Lamar
Coach of the Year: James Landreneau, McNeese

#### First Team

* Corine Poncho (MCNS, SO, 1st Base)
* Mariana Torres (MCNS, SR, 2nd Base)
* Chloe Magee (SELA, FR, Shortstop)
* Maddison Guillen (UIW, SR, 3rd Base)
* Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, SR, Catcher)
* Victoria Altamirano (UIW, SO, Utility)
* Audrey Greely (SELA, SR, Designated Player)
* Reagan Heflin (NICH, SO, Outfielder)
* Ka'Lyn Watson (SELA, SR, Outfielder)
* Alexis Dibbley (MCNS, FR, Outfielder)
* Cera Blanchard (SELA, SR, Pitcher)
* Shaelyn Sanders (MCNS, SR, Pitcher)

#### Second Team

* Lexi Johnson (SELA, SR, 1st Base)
* Ryleigh Mata (UIW, JR, 2nd Base)
* Baylee Lemons (UIW, JR, Shortstop)
* Rylie Bouvier (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
* Bella Perez (MCNS, FR, Catcher)
* Haylie Savage (HCU, JR, Utility)
* Crislyne Moreno (MCNS, JR, Designated Player)
* Jillian Guiterrez (UIW, SO, Outfield)
* Abby Andersen (NICH, SR, Outfield)
* Cam Goodman (SELA, SR, Outfield)
* Primrose Aholelei (TAMUCC, SR, Pitcher)
* Ellie DuBois (SELA, SR, Pitcher)

### Weekly awards

Weekly honors :
| Honors | Player | Position | Date Awarded |
| SLC Pitcher of the week | Audrey McNeill | RHP | February 12, 2024 |
| SLC Hitter of the week | Molly VandenBout | DP | February 26, 2024 |
| SLC Pitcher of the week | Audrey McNeill | RHP | March 11, 2024 |
| SLC Pitcher of the week | Audrey McNeill | RHP | May 6, 2024 |