April 27, 2010
Box Score
THIBODAUX - Down 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth, Colonel shortstop Chase Jaramillo drove in the game-winning run with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth before capping the rally with a bases-loaded walk-off single up the middle in the bottom of the tenth to give the Nicholls State University baseball team (21-19) a 6-5 win over South Alabama (28-17) on Tuesday night at Ray E. Didier Field.
The victory over the Sun Belt's first place team avenged a 13-7 loss the Colonels suffered at South Alabama on April 13 and split the two game season series between the two gulf coast rivals at one game each.
Nicholls jumped out to an early lead by plating three in the bottom of the first to chase South Alabama starter Lance Brown after just 0.2 IP. Meanwhile, Nicholls starter Brent Bonvillian cruised through his 3.0 IP. The true freshman lefty limited the Jags to just two hits and one walk while striking out three in his start.
However, looking to get work for the rest of the pitching staff as the Colonels prepare for the home stretch of the Southland Conference season, the Nicholls coaching staff brought in seven more pitchers on the night.
Bonvillian gave way to Josh Labiche, who despite showing good stuff, allowed three hits including a two-run inside the park homer in his 0.2 IP. The Jags, who entered the week in the top ten in the nation in both hits and runs, went on to plate four runs against Labiche to tie things up at 4-4 in the fourth.
From there on a pitchers' duel ensued. Brian Arceneaux, Jarret Dunnam and Cullen Babin combined for just one hit and one walk while striking out two to keep the Jaguars scoreless over the next 2.1 IP.
However, the South Alabama bullpen proved equally adept as Carlton Reeves, Brad Hook and Jarret Bailey kept Nicholls off the board from the fourth through the seventh.
The Jaguars finally managed to break through in the top of the seventh as Adam Heisler singled with one out, stole second, took third on a passed ball and scored on an RBI groundout by Zach Grichor.
Fortunately, the Colonels finally got to the Jaguar bullpen in the bottom of the eighth. After DH Adam Miley legged out an infield single to lead off the inning, Beau Faulk sacrificed Miley to second. The Colonels called on Tristan Rogers to pinch-run for Miley. However, after Brady Bourque struck out, it looked like the Colonels might squander the opportunity to tie the game.
Fortunately, Jaramillo delivered as his two-out line drive through the right side scored Rogers to tie the game at 5-5.
After a scoreless ninth, the game went to extras. Brad Delatte kept South Alabama at bay with 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, and the Colonels struck in the tenth.
Pinch-hitter Blake Bergeron was hit-by-a-pitch with one out before Faulk dribbled a slow roller up the third base line. After third baseman Jake Overstreet's throw sailed over the head of first baseman Tyler Vick, the Colonels found themselves with runners at second and third. After Ray Eureste came on to pinch-run for Bergeron, South Alabama reliever Carlton Paris intentionally walked Bourque to set up a force play.
Fortunately, for Nicholls, Jaramillo wasted no time. With the bases loaded, the Colonel shorstop drove Paris' first offering up the gut to plate Eureste and clinch a 6-5 walk-off winner.
Nicholls will return to action on Friday when they host Southeastern Louisiana at Ray E. Didier Field in the opener of a three-game home-away-home series. First pitch for Friday's series opener is set for 6 p.m.
NOTES:
Tuesday's contest was the first ten-inning game for the Colonels' this season. Regardless, Nicholls improved to 2-0 in extra-inning games this year. On March 6, Nicholls claimed a 7-6 win in 8.0 innings against Southern in the first game of a double header that was scheduled for just 7.0 innings.
With 13 regular season games (12 Southland Conference games) remaining the Colonels need the following:
4 more overall wins for their first 25-win season since going 28-26 in 2003.
5 more conference wins for their first 15-win Southland Conference season since going 15-12 against Southland competition in 2000.
9 more overall wins for their first 30-win season since going 31-19 in 1993.
10 more conference wins for their first ever 20-win conference season.
