THIBODAUX, La. – Senior southpaw Alex Ernestine tossed his first career complete-game shutout to lift the Nicholls State University baseball team to a 1-0 series-opening victory over McNeese State University Friday night on Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
"[Ernestine] has become himself and he's the most unselfish human being in the world," Nicholls head baseball coach Seth Thibodeaux said. "He competed his tail off and we made some great plays behind him. The best part about the night was that he was getting ahead of hitters – a lot of 0-1s in there. I have an immense amount of respect for [McNeese head coach] Justin Hill and McNeese baseball. I just know that it was a hard-fought baseball game on a Friday night and we were able to come out on the right side."
 
Ernestine scattered four hits and struck out two to improve to 2-2 on the season. Beginning in the top of the fifth inning, the Coconut Creek, Florida, native retired the side in four consecutive frames. Ernestine hurled 124 pitches during his third straight quality start and now boasts a 1.11 ERA in league play.
 
The Colonels (7-14, 3-4 SLC) have now bested the Cowboys (8-13, 5-2 SLC) in 14 straight home games.
 
McNeese starter Grant Anderson (2-2) was handed the loss despite allowing four hits in seven innings. The Colonels (7-14, 3-4 SLC) scored their lone run in the second inning. Senior outfielder Lee Clark stroked a single through the right side and right fielder Jake Cochran's throw to third base hit freshman Xane Washington and skidded into Nicholls' dugout, allowing Washington to be plated as the game-winning run.
 
The second game of the series at the Did is slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Get your season or single-game tickets now by calling 985-448-4790 or visiting nichollstickets.com. Please click here for more information on joining the 2018 Nicholls Baseball Coaches Committee. Visit geauxcolonels.com for the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_BASE.