Nicholls State University

Colonels Shutout Generals for Longest Win Streak in 24 Years

March 9, 2010

THIBODAUX - Colonel DH Adam Miley launched a pair of two-run homers and four Nicholls pitchers combined for a one-hit shutout of LSU-Alexandria as the Nicholls State University baseball team (9-3) picked up its ninth consecutive win for its longest winning streak in 24 seasons on Tuesday night.

The Colonels sent lefty Ryan Cooper to the mound to start things off. Cooper got Nicholls off on the right foot by locking up the LSUA lineup in his 5.0 innings of work. Cooper retired 15 of the 17 batters he faced, allowing just one hit and one walk while keeping the Generals off the board.

Cooper gave way to Cullen Babin in the sixth, and the Nicholls bullpen picked up where Cooper left off. Babin retired all six batters he faced and recorded three strikeouts in his 2.0 perfect innings. Brian Arceneaux pitched a perfect eighth while striking out two, and Brad Delatte pitched around a one-out walk to deliver 1.0 inning of hitless, scoreless relief to finish things off.

With the Nicholls pitching staff taking care of business on the hill, the Colonel lineup got to work in the third. Left fielder Mike Barba legged out an infield hit to lead things off before advancing to second on a wild pitch. The Colonel outfielder tagged and advanced to third on a fly-out to center by Kasey Culverson, before taking home when LSU-A center fielder Logan Crow's throw to third went wide, allowing Barba to plate the first run of the game and stake Nicholls to a 1-0 lead after three.

After Blake Bergeron delivered a one-out single in the fourth, Miley delivered his first two-run homer of the game to make it 3-0 after four. Nicholls added one each in the fifth (on an RBI double by Bear Comer) and the sixth (on a Tristan Rogers sacrifice fly) before Miley notched his second two-run shot of the day to make it 7-0 after eight.

With Tuesday's win, the Colonels have won nine straight contests since opening the season with a three-game sweep at the hands of UL-Lafayette. Nicholls nine-game stretch is their longest winning streak since winning 12-in-a-row in 1986.

Nicholls will try for their tenth consecutive win when they open Southland Conference play on Friday against Lamar. Friday's contest at Ray E. Didier Field opens a three-game set against the Cardinals. First pitch for the series opener is set for 6 p.m. Game two is set for a 3 p.m. first pitch on Saturday, and Sunday's finale is set to get underway at 1 p.m.