Feb. 21, 2009

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - For the second-straight day, the Nicholls baseball team claimed a double-digit victory, picking up a 13-2 win over Chicago State in the second of a three-game series at Ray E. Didier Field.

The Colonels improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Cougars drop to 0-2.

Sophomore Seth Webster (Deville, La./Buckeye) picked up the win for Nicholls, scattering six hits and two runs through six innings of work. Webster (1-0) fanned two and walked one of the 24 batters he faced.

"We did a really good job defensively and Seth Webster had a great outing," said Colonel skipper Chip Durham. "He only issued one walk in his last inning and that's just a matter of being up in his pitch count and being a little tired late in the game. When we can limit our free passes and throw strikes, we can win. I'm really proud of our guys and the momentum they've built up.""

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, the Colonels put four runs on the board in the bottom half of the inning thanks, in part, to an RBI double by junior Adam Miley (Baton Rouge, La./Bossier Parish CC) that plated Chris Murril (Mobile, Ala./Alabama Southern CC) and Keith Kulbeth (Opelousas, La./Westminister Christian Academy).

Kulbeth, who homered in Friday night's season opener, went yard twice in Saturday's game, leading off the third with a solo shot to left and driving a two-run blast to left center in the fourth. The junior finished 2-for-2 at the plate with four RBI and four runs scored and was the only Colonel to turn in a multi-hit performance.

"Kulbeth had a big day," noted Durham, "so compliments to him. He's really swinging the bat well early in the season."

Chicago State added a run in the fifth when Kevin Hussey scored after leading off the inning with a double, cutting the Colonel lead to six (8-2).

But Nicholls fired back, adding five insurance runs in the sixth. Four-straight Colonels the plate drew walks before junior Scott Moseley (Enterprise, Miss./Meridian CC) knocked a bases-clearing triple down the left-field line.

Moseley finished 1-for-2 with three RBI and three runs scored, while Miley went 1-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI.

The Colonels, who walked nine times and drew two hit-by-pitches, were out-hit 6-4 in the game.

"Our hitters did a really great job at the plate," Durham added. "We only had four hits, but we had 11 free passes and that shows a lot of discipline. I compliment our hitters on being patient at the plate and having discipline."

Senior Ross Larson (New Lenox, Ill./Lurleen B. Wallace CC) threw one inning of no-hit relief for the Colonels, closing out the seventh inning.

The series will resume Sunday at 1 p.m. for the final game.

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