No. 2 Nicholls capitalizes on opportune plays late, outlasts No. 6 Southeastern in 10 innings

HAMMOND — No. 6 Southeastern held a 3-2 lead heading into the top of the ninth against No. 2 Nicholls in what had become a settled came after both squads’ offenses fell silent from the fourth to the eighth inning. But a raucous finish that consisted of two home runs and costly wild pitches left the Colonels atop the Lions 5-4 in an instant classic at the Southland Baseball Championship.

The win marks Nicholls’ sixth straight in a SLC tournament game, dating back to last season’s run to the conference title.

Nico Saltaformaggio picked up the win in a five-inning relief effort with one earned run on two hits and two strikeouts. Michael Quevedo fanned six batters in his five innings of work.

Basiel Williams, Drake Anderson and Garrett Felix all smacked solo shots in the game that counted for three of the Colonels five hits.

Dakota Lee provided six strong innings for Southeastern with two earned runs on three hits and seven strikeouts

Jude Hall shined once again for the Lions, hitting his third home run of the tournament and going two-for-three with two runs and a walk. Bailyn Sorensen finished two-for-two with two RBI.

The defending champs set the tone in the second inning after Felix sent a home run over the left field wall. Anderson followed with his own shot out of the park and Nicholls held a 2-0 lead.

But the Southeastern’s response proved steadfast and swift. Sorensen drilled an RBI single to left center, tying the game 2-2 before Shea Thomas followed in his at bat with one RBI on a single. Southeastern led 3-2.

Lee paced a dangerous Nicholls offense and the six seed had the Colonels controlled through the next six innings.

But Basiel Williams stepped to the dish in the top of the ninth and rocketed the game-tying home run deep to left center. That swing moved the momentum back to the two seed and the group plated several base runners.

Drake Anderson advanced to third after a wild pitch then turned for home when the throw to the bag went errant. Suddenly the Colonels led 4-3 heading into the final frame.

However, Hall sent a heroic blast to left center, evening the score once again and sending the game into extra innings. Nicholls remained active on the bases and laoded the bags. A second Southeastern wild pitch would prove detrimental in the Lions’ upset bid.

Player of the Year Edgar Alvarez dashed home and the Colonels gripped a 5-4 lead that they would not relinquish. Saltaformaggio bagged the final three outs including a game-ending strikeout.

Southeastern will face No. 3 New Orleans in an elimination game Friday morning. The winner will face Nicholls in the evening.

2024 North Oaks Health System Southland Conference Baseball Championship
May 22-25, 2024 | Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field | Hammond, America

Wednesday, May 22
Game 1 – No. 5 McNeese 10, No. 4 Northwestern State 5
Game 2 – No. 8 UIW 6, No. 1 Lamar 3
Game 3 – No. 2 Nicholls 14, No. 7 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2 (7 Innings)
Game 4 – No. 6 Southeastern 10, No. 3 New Orleans 2

Thursday, May 23
Game 5 – Lamar 12, Northwestern State 5 (NSU eliminated)
Game 6 – New Orleans 7, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4 (AMCC eliminated)
Game 7 – McNeese 6, UIW 2
Game 8 – Nicholls 5, Southeastern 4 (10 Innings)

Friday, May 24
Game 9 – Lamar vs. UIW, 9 a.m. (Elimination game) | ESPN+
Game 10 – New Orleans vs. Southeastern, Noon (Elimination game) | ESPN+
Game 11 – McNeese vs. Game 9 Winner, 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 12 – Nicholls vs. Game 10 Winner, 7 p.m. | ESPN+

Saturday, May 25
Game 13 – Winner of Game 11 vs. Game 11 Loser (if necessary), TBD | ESPN+
Game 14 – Winner of Game 12 vs. Game 12 Loser (if necessary), TBD | ESPN+
Game 15 – Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 14 (if necessary), TBD | ESPN+