2024 Nicholls Colonels softball team
American college softball season
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 5–48 . They were defeated by second seeded Southeastern Louisiana 1–4 and first seeded McNeese 3–48 .
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.[ 3]
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.
[ 3]
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)
Roster
2024 Nicholls Colonels softball team
Players
Coaches
#
Pos.
Name
Bats/throws
Height
Year
Home town
1
Madisen Levsey
/
—
Fr
2
OF
McKenzie Champagne
L/R
5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Jr
Lockport, Louisiana
3
U
Claire Cisco
L/R
5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
So
College Station, Texas
4
INF
Makynli Miller
R/R
5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Fr
Many, Louisiana
5
INF
Erin Krause
L/R
5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)
So
Cypress, Texas
7
RHP
Molly VandenBout
R/R
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Jr
Temple, Texas
8
Sydney Mann
/
—
Fr
9
INF
Alexa Poche'
L/L
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Sr
New Orleans, Louisiana
10
Madisen Fulfer
/
—
Fr
11
Laylin Sturm
/
—
Fr
12
Rylie Rutherford
/
—
Fr
13
Katy Sanders
/
—
Fr
14
RHP
Audrey McNeil
R/R
5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)
Sr
Plano, Texas
15
INF
Lilianna Robledo
R/R
5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
So
Converse, Texas
16
OF
Reagan Heflin
L/R
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
So
Richmond, Texas
17
Gabee Higbe
/
—
So
18
INF
Sydni Stevens
R/R
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Fr
Seguin, Texas
19
OF
Samantha Gwiazda
R/R
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Sr
Frankfort, Illinois
20
OF
Carmella Muccilli
R/R
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
So
Santa Cruz, California
21
INF
Sydnee Shelton
R/R
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Sr
Fort Worth, Texas
22
LHP
Molly Yoo
L/L
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
So
Cypress, Texas
23
Taylor Efferson
/
—
Fr
24
RHP
Averi Paden
R/L
5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
So
Summit, Mississippi
25
Alyssa Naquin
/
—
Fr
26
C
Brynne Songy
R/R
5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
So
Prairieville, Louisiana
42
P
Abigail Anderson
R/R
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Sr
Mesa, Arizona
Head coach
Justin Lewis (Louisiana–Monroe )
Assistant coach(es)
Ron Frost (Alabama State ) Kat Frakes (UIS )
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Current redshirt
Roster Last update: January 26, 2024
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
SLC 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
Rank
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
Rank
Site/stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
TV
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: [ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
*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.[ 7]
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
Ref.
SLC Pitcher of the week
Audrey McNeill
RHP
February 12, 2024
[ 8]
SLC Hitter of the week
Molly VandenBout
DP
February 26, 2024
[ 9]
SLC Pitcher of the week
Audrey McNeill
RHP
March 11, 2024
[ 10]
SLC Pitcher of the week
Audrey McNeill
RHP
May 6, 2024
[ 11]
See also
2024 Nicholls Colonels baseball team
References
^ "Texas A&M University-Commerce Officially Joins NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference" . Texas A&M University-Commerce. July 1, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024 .
^ "Southland Standings" . D1Softball.com . Retrieved May 19, 2024 .
^ a b "McNeese predicted to repeat as SLC Softball Champions; Preseason poll and all-conference teams announced" . Southland Conference. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024 .
^ "2024 Softball Schedule" . Nicholls State University . Retrieved December 28, 2023 .
^ "D1SOFTBALL - Nicholls State (Southland)" . D1 Softball. Retrieved January 25, 2024 .
^ "WarrenNolan.com - Nicholls Colonels - Southland" . Nolan Analytics, LLC. Retrieved January 25, 2024 .
^ "Altamirano wins Player of the Year, Watson and Sanders lead strong showings for McNeese at Southeastern on SLC All-Conference Teams" . www.southland.org . May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024 .
^ "Softball season opens with SLU's Krolczyk and Nicholls' McNeill winning Player of the Week honors" . February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024 .
^ "Nicholls' VandenBout, Lamar's Mitchell Named Jersey Mike's Softball Players of the Week" . February 26, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024 .
^ Callum Squires (March 11, 2024). "Tyson of A&M-Corpus Christi and McNeill of Nicholls win Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week awards" . Retrieved May 26, 2024 .
^ Anthony Goss (May 6, 2024). "HCU's Savage, Nicholls' McNeill earn final Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Player of the Week honors of 2024 season" . Retrieved May 26, 2024 .
Venues Culture & lore Coaches
Lynn Oberbillig (1983–1990)
Cathy Compton (1991–1995)
Lu Harris-Champer (1996–1997)
Patti Holthaus (1998–2001)
Phyllis Guedry (2002–2004)
Jenny Parson (2005–2011)
Angel Santiago (2012– )
Seasons