March 18, 2009

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Reigning SLC Hitter of the Week Chris Murrill (Mobile, Ala./Alabama Southern CC) tripled twice and was responsible for five of the Colonels eight runs as Nicholls claimed an 8-5 midweek victory over Grambling State Wednesday night at Ray E. Didier Field.

The win extends the Colonels' streak to five-straight victories.

Murrill, who went 2-for-2 at the plate, drew five walks, scoring three runs and driving in two RBI.

"A win is a win," said Colonel skipper Chip Durham. "We didn't play very well. We had a good performance from Murrill - he reached base every time. I was very pleased with Dickerson and gave us a good performance. It's nice to see some consistency out of him."

Colonel righty Dale Dickerson (Calhoun, La./Southeast Missouri State) picked up the win, his first of the season, after three innings of one-run relief. The junior fanned five and did not allow a hit as he improves to 1-0 on the season.

Infielder Brady Bourque (Gonzales, La./LSU-Eunice) turned in a 2-for-3 performance on the night with an RBI and a run scored.

Nicholls took an early 2-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of Tiger errors.

The Colonels and Tigers traded the lead back and forth before Nicholls took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh. Designated hitter Adam Miley (Baton Rouge, La./Bossier Parish CC) scored on a single to right by Bourque and Drew Snider (Collinsville, Miss./Meridian CC), who drwe a pinch-hit walk, came around on an error by Grambling State.

After Nicholls added an insurance run in the eighth when Murrill scored on a wild pitch, Dickerson shut down the Tigers in the ninth to clinch the win.

"We made some mistakes," Durham added, "but that's what makes me feel good about this club. We didn't play well, but we won. I think that shows a sign of a good team. We got the job done. We've got a little confidence heading into this weekend now with five-straight wins, so this is a very winnable series for us."

Nicholls will travel to Nacogdoches, Texas for a three-game weekend series with Stephen F. Austin beginning Friday night. Fans can follow the action by clicking the GameTracker link at www.GeauxColonels.com.

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