THIBODAUX, La. - After surrendering two runs in the ninth that tied the game, the Nicholls State University baseball team bounced back by loading the bases with one out and
Edgar Alvarez capped a solid day at the plate with a walkoff RBI as the Colonels defeated Louisiana, 6-5, Wednesday night on Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
Nicholls (10-9) took advantage of some spotty pitching in the final frame, putting the first two batters on via a hit-by-pitch and a walk. Following a strikeout,
Xane Washington reached on a booted grounder to short. Alvarez, who homered earlier in the game, came through with a grounder to short and
Dane Simon beat the throw home, giving the Colonels their 10th win of the season.
Cade Evans (1-0) picked up the win despite allowing the two runs in the ninth. With Nicholls leading 4-3 in the eighth with two outs, Evans took over on the mound and left the bases loaded with a flyout. But with two on in the ninth, he sailed a throw to third on a sac bunt attempt that eventually allowed Louisiana (9-11) to tie the game at 5-5.
The Colonel pitching had a strong showing as a staff by allowing just two hits -- both solo home runs -- through seven innings while striking out eighth.
Nico Saltaformaggio made the start, tossing three innings with one earned run and four strikeouts.
The offense jumped all over Cajun starter Peyton Havard with four hits in the first.
Jaden Collura drove in a pair on a base hit to center for the early lead.
Kody O'Connor made it 3-0 with an RBI single to left.
After Carson Roccaforte homered in the second for UL, Alvarez returned the favor in the third. Leading off the inning, Alvarez blasted a 1-1 pitch over the left center wall for a 4-1 lead.
Devin Desandro came in and threw two shutout innings while striking out a pair, then
Chase Gearing took over in the sixth. After giving up a two-out home run to Kyle DeBarge, Gearing retired four straight batters to keep the lead at 4-2.
The teams then traded runs in the eighth.
David Vial Jr. walked three in the inning as UL scored on a sacrifice fly. But Evans was able to limit the damage with a flyout to right to end the threat. The Colonels got the run back in the bottom half on an
Alec Paz RBI single to center.
Nicholls outhit UL for the game, 10-4.
Jayden Kay was 3-for-3 with a double while Alvarez and Collura had two hits each.
ON DECK
The Colonels head to Hammond for a Southland-opening series against Southeastern. Friday's opener is scheduled for 6 p.m.
