Tulane powers past Nicholls State, 7-5

Engelhard and Groff both slug home runs

THIBODAUX, La. – The Tulane University baseball team opened up an early lead and never looked back, as it held on for a 7-5 win over in-state rival Nicholls State Wednesday evening at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field to remain undefeated.

The Green Wave plated three runs in the first, one in the second and three in the sixth to open up a commanding 7-0 lead. All seven of the Green Wave’s runs came with two outs in the inning.

The Colonels would not go quietly, as they fought back with four runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to trim Tulane’s lead to two (7-5).

In the ninth, Nicholls State brought the tying run to the plate, but sophomore Zach DeVito kept the Colonels scoreless in the frame as Tulane secured the win. DeVito struck out the final batter of the game for the second straight game, as he picked up his first save of the year.

Sophomores Chase Engelhard and Ethan Groff both drilled their first home runs of the year, while Trevor Minder finished the game with a pair of doubles to lead the way offensively for the Green Wave.

Redshirt sophomore Brady Hebert, sophomore Bennett Lee and junior Seth Beckstead also collected hits for the Green Wave.

Freshman Grant Siegel earned the win for the Green Wave after he came on in relief of graduate student starter Carter Robinson, who struck out six and walked three in 4.0 innings of work.

Chandler Welch, Brian Valigosky and Clifton Slagel also saw action on the mound for the Green Wave.

Nicholls outhit Tulane by a 12-7 count, but left the Colonels 12 runners on base while the Green Wave stranded just four runners on base.

UP NEXT
The Wave returns to action on Friday, as it heads North to take on in-state rival Louisiana Tech for the start of a three-game series. The first pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m. Game two on Saturday will begin at 2 p.m. The series finale on Sunday will begin at 1 p.m.

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Tulane fans can ensure that every Green Wave win makes a lasting impact this season by joining the Pledge Per Win campaign. Fans can participate in the Pledge Per Win campaign by pledging to give $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100 to the Green Wave Club for each game the Tulane Baseball team wins this season. Additionally, supporters are encouraged to pledge as little as $1 for every strikeout by Tulane pitchers this season. Fans interested in enrolling in the Pledge Per Win and Pledge Per Strikeout campaigns are encouraged to visit www.GreenWaveClub.com/ppw.

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