Cajuns edge Colonels, 3-2

LAFAYETTE, La. — Despite a hard-fought effort out of both the pitching staff and the batting order, the Nicholls State University baseball program (13-14, 8-4 SLC) failed to claim payback against Louisiana (18-11, 5-1 Sun Belt) in the latter half of a home-and-home set with the in-state rival, faltering to the Ragin’ Cajuns by a final 3-2 decision Tuesday evening at R.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park in Lafayette, La.

After the Colonels managed to clinch an early advantage in the second frame behind a solo jack from senior Dillon Belle, good for his third of the season, the Ragin’ Cajuns quickly responded with a two-run outing of their own to close the frame. The third saw Louisiana add to that edge, pushing the score out to a 3-1 margin, before the Red & Gray battled back later in the sixth, scoring the team’s final run on a sac bunt.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
— With the loss, the Colonels fall back below .500 (13-14) overall for the season; meanwhile, Louisiana improves to an 18-11 mark on the year.
— The Red & Gray compiled a “Johnny Wholestaff” type of performance in a relatively solid showing for the Colonels on the mound, finishing with 12 strikeouts across eight pitchers with just seven hits surrendered for three runs (two earned). Notably, sophomore Tyler Theriot and senior Beau Balado posted impressive outings in their middle and late appearances, respectively, combining for 3.2 innings with eight batters set down on strikes and just three hits given up.
— Offensively, a trio of Colonels — sophomore Xane Washington, junior Dane Simon and Belle — finished the night with a multi-hit performance, collecting two apiece with one RBI and two runs scored.

UP NEXT
With the mid-season non-conference stretch wrapped up, the Red & Gray return to Southland competition with a weekend series against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, hosting the Islanders across a four-game set from Friday, Apr. 9 through Sunday, Apr. 11 at Ray E. Didier Field.

STAY SOCIAL
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