Nicholls picks up series-opening victory at ACU

ABILENE, Texas — Buoyed by an early offensive surge (six runs across the first three frames), the Nicholls State University baseball program (8-8, 5-0 SLC) managed to push the league win streak up to five games in the team’s Southland road opener at Abilene Christian (10-6, 2-3 SLC).

The Colonels closed out a tight 7-6 victory over the host Wildcats on Friday evening at Crutcher Scott Field in Abilene, Texas.

Reinforced by a strong showing at the plate, the Colonel pitching staff wrapped up the game behind yet-another clutch late-game performance, surrendering just one run across the final four frames to maintain the Nicholls advantage and pick up the eventual victory.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
— With the win, the Colonels improve back to .500 (8-8) after falling behind due to the midweek loss against Louisiana; meanwhile, Abilene Christian drops its third consecutive game en route to a 10-6 overall mark.
— Despite playing with a lead, sophomore Chase Gearing composed arguably his roughest start of the year thus far across 3.2 innings of work, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits while setting down five on strikes. Senior Beau Balado (2-0) took over midway through the fourth for a solid 2.1 frames, shutting down the Wildcat bats as the southpaw surrendered just one run on three hits with three strikeouts for his second victory of the season.
— Junior Joe Taylor continued to prove why he’s earned title as the Nicholls closer, tossing the final 2.0 innings while allowing no runs on two hits, punching out four batters on strikes before earning his fifth save of the 2021 campaign.
— The early offense came courtesy of, primarily, freshman transfers Basiel Williams and Wes Toups, as the pair secured a combined three RBIs on the night behind a team-best three hits apiece.

UP NEXT
With the series opener out of the way, the Red & Gray aim to continue racking up the wins moving into the Saturday afternoon doubleheader against Abilene Christian, starting off the twin bill with a contest at 2 p.m. before rematching the Wildcats immediately following the game’s conclusion around 5 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
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