MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama softball team couldn’t overcome Nicholls in a 6-0 shutout at Jaguar Field Wednesday night.

The highlight of the evening for the Jaguars came in the second inning when Kalin Lasseter hit a triple to right field, the team’s first of the season. The Jags were unable to bring Lasseter, however, as three of the following four batters recorded outs to end the threat.

“This is a young team,” head coach Becky Clark said. “We are working hard to get better and prepare for conference play.”

USA threatened again beginning when designated player Tara Donaldson led off the fourth inning with a double to left center. Lasseter walked, and when Carolina Mendoza followed by reaching after being hit, the bases were loaded. Kait Chernomaz hit eight foul balls before striking out, followed by Julie Morton striking out for the first and second outs of the inning. USA left three on base when Kristen Hayes popped out to second.

Nicholls broke open the game in the fifth, starting the inning by loading the bases with no outs. Whitney Roan singled to left field to plate Karla Troxler and break the scoreless tie. USA brought in Meghan Harbuck to pitch for Shannon Smith, but the change didn’t slow down the Colonels. Megan Gaspard singled up the middle to bring in Kara Harrington for Nicholls’ second run. Kodi Butler then walked, scoring Tori Lay.

Lyndsay Mesh was called out on an infield fly for the first out of the inning. One play later Danielle Clayton doubled to left field to score Gaspard and Roan, although Butler was tagged out at home on the play. The Jags closed the inning when Kayla Watterson grounded out to Morton at third, closing the inning at 5-0.

South Alabama had a chance to come back in the sixth when it loaded the bases with just one out. The threat ended with a lineout and a strikeout.

Nicholls tacked on a run in its final at bat when Mesh singled to left to bring home Butler.

“We have a tough weekend ahead of us,” Clark said. “We are ready to get on the road and see some great competition.”

USA opens its road schedule on Friday at 9:15 a.m. against Coastal Carolina in Gainesville, Fla., at the Florida Lipton Invitational.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).