Cajuns best Colonels on Tuesday, 3-1

THIBODAUX, La. – Louisiana-Lafayette used a two-run single in the eighth to break a 1-1 tie as the Nicholls State University baseball team fell 3-1 Tuesday night on Ben Meyer Diamond at Didier Field.

With the game tied in the eighth, ULL (4-7) loaded the bases with no outs. Beau Balado came in and struck out two for the Colonels, but Sebastian Toro sprayed a single to left center to make it a 3-1 game.

Nicholls, which dropped its third consecutive game to move to 7-6 on the season, had a chance to cut into the lead in the bottom half. The Red and Gray loaded the bases with two out, however, ULL’s Brock Batty (1-0) ended the threat after getting Nathan Tribble to strikeout to keep the lead at two runs.

Michael Leaumont struck out the side in the ninth to earn his first save of the year for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

The Colonels struck out a season-high 14 times in the loss and had five hits by five different players. After ULL’s Handsome Monica hit a solo home run in the sixth for the first run of the game, Ethan Valdez placed a perfect two-out bunt towards third base to tie the game. Champ Davison scored on the play after leading off the frame with a triple.

Nicholls was held hitless through 4.2 innings by Jacob Shultz before Adam Tarver singled up the middle in the fifth. Alec Paz and Chris Sandberg also singled for the Colonels.

Brandon Andrews (0-1) was charged with the loss, pitching 1.1 innings with an earned run on two hits. Parker White made the start, striking out six in 5.1 innings. A total of seven Colonels took the mound, combining for 13 strikeouts.

UP NEXT
Nicholls will head to Mobile Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. game against South Alabama.

BACK AT THE DID
Following Wednesday’s game at South Al, Nicholls opens Southland Conference play this weekend against rival New Orleans. Friday’s opener is scheduled for 6 p.m.