Final Stats BEAUMONT, Texas. – It took nearly all game for the Nicholls State University baseball team to recover after allowing an opening-inning run to the Lamar Cardinals Thursday night in the series opener between the two teams, but three unanswered runs by the Colonels in the seventh and eighth innings and a masterful performance by Mike Suk on the mound proved to be a winning combination as Nicholls defeated Lamar 3-1 at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

Nicholls (26-27, 9-16 SLC) didn't get its first hit until the fourth inning, but finished the night outhitting Lamar (34-18, 13-12) 10-8, paced by Leo Vargas and Tyler Duplantis' who each had three on the evening.

For Suk (2-6), who was re-inserted back into the weekend rotation days before the start of the series, the big right-hander found his stride and allowed just the one run in the first on eight hits with zero walks and five strikeouts. It was his first win since March 22, which was also the last time he earned a complete game victory which came against Stephen F. Austin.

Lamar starter Jonathan Dziedzic (6-4) lasted 7.1 innings in the loss, allowing two runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts, with Chase Angelle giving up the final run of the game in 1.1 innings of relief.

Lamar scored in the top of the first inning, with an error in the outfield plating the first run to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. They nearly made it a two run game after a double in the second, but the run never moved from second to keep the score close.

Nicholls didn't get its first hit until the fourth inning, but got back-to-back ones in the top of the fifth to put two runners on to get some momentum going. Duplantis singled up the middle to reach first, then a bunt single by Philip Lyons put two on with no outs. Unfortunately, the Cardinals turned a double play on a popup bunt forcing Duplantis out at second to put two outs on the board, as Lyons stole second to move up. A swinging strikeout ended the inning and the best threat the team had to tie the game at that point.

Seth Stevens began the seventh with a leadoff double down the left field line to reach second. A bunt single by Duplantis advanced Stevens to third and put runners at the corners still with no outs. A fielder's choice forced out the Nicholls third baseman at second but allowed Lyons to keep runners at the corners. Lyons took second on a wild pitch and a walk to Mike Barba loaded the bases. A fielder's choice by Cody Dufrene plated Stevens to tie the game at one, with an unassisted grounder ending the inning.

With one out in the eighth, Vargas delivered on his third hit of the game with a single up the middle to reach first. It prompted a pitching change from Lamar, but it did little good as Cormier doubled down the right field line allowing Vargas to cross the plate to give Nicholls its first lead up 2-1. Cormier then stole third, with Duplantis connecting on a double to right center scoring Cormier and advancing Stevens to third who reached on a walk to make it a 3-1 game. A strikeout and infield fly ended the inning.

Suk came on in the ninth, retiring the side in order with three consecutive strikeouts to end the game and secure the victory.

First pitch for game two is set for 6:30 p.m. at Vincent-Beck Stadium in Beaumont.