April 25, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - The Colonels tallied 16 hits on the night, but only two for extra bases as they fell 8-3 to Stephen F. Austin Friday night at Ray E. Didier Field.

Nicholls falls to 7-35 (2-17 SLC), while the Lumberjacks improve to 15-25 (4-14 SLC)

Erik Gregerson gave up 15 of the Colonels' hits, but allowed just two runs through 7.2 innings on the mound for SFA. Gregerson issued just one base-on-balls and fanned six.

For Nicholls, Lance Guidroz falls to 0-2, giving up four runs on five hits in two innings of work.

Justin Breaux and Joe Hagerty combined for seven innings of four-run relief, each striking out four batters.

"Our pitchers put nine guys on with walks or hit batsmen - and four of those scored," said Colonel head coach Chip Durham. "When they got hits, they had runners in scoring position and when we got hits, there was no one on base and that will get you every time."

The Jacks put up four in the second for all the runs they would need on the night, getting two runs off an RBI double to left center by Noel Trevino.

Nicholls cut the Lumberjack lead to three with a run in the fifth off of back-to-back-to-back singles by Walter Jones, Patrick Thompson and Brandt Boudreaux. Boudreaux's basehit brought Jones in from third to make it a 4-1 ball game.

But SFA answered with two of their own in the sixth, putting runners in scoring position on a Colonel error.

The Colonels threatened, putting runners in scoring position in each of the last four innings - including loading the bases in eighth - but only managed a run in the eighth and another in the ninth.

Seniors Anthony Wray and Patrick Thompson each went 3-for-5 on the night, with Wray adding an RBI and a run scored.

"The difference in the game was the runners we left in scoring position," added Durham. "We left 14, nine of which were in scoring position."

Jones, Keith Kulbeth and Anthony Marino all posted multi-hit games for Nicholls. Kulbeth and Marino each doubled in the game.

"We didn't have any timely hits. We swung the bats well, but just didn't get hits when we needed them."

The Colonels and Jacks will meet for game two of the series on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

Before the game, Nicholls will honor the 1998 Southland Conference Tournament Championship team.

Fans can follow the action live on the internet by clicking the GameTracker link at www.GeauxColonels.com. A live broadcast can be heard locally on KTIB 640 AM or on-line at www.ThibodauxOnLine.com.

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