Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team received another outstanding performance by its pitching staff, holding Jackson State to just two hits and a pair of unearned runs, and a leadoff walk by Charles Morton in the 12th inning led to the game-winning run as the Colonels defeated the JSU Tigers, 3-2, in walk-off fashion Thursday night at Ray E. Didier Field.

With the win, Nicholls improves to 4-5 on the year and 4-1 at home. The Colonels and Tigers (5-3) will play game two of their home-and-home four-game set on Friday night at The Did at 6 p.m.

After six and a half scoreless innings and the game still knotted at 2-2, the final frame started with a free pass by Morton. Pinch runner Justin Holt moved to second on a single by Christian Correa, and David Zorn advanced both runners on a sacrifice bunt. With Leo Vargas at the plate, the first pitch by Sergio Parra got away from the Tiger catcher, and Holt raced in from third for the walk-off victory.

Brandon Jackson made the start for Nicholls, giving up one hit in six innings of work. Jackson struck out eight batters and walked five in the no decision. Between five pitchers, the Colonels fanned 17 batters, with Marc Picciola striking out four in two innings. Stuart Holmes added two punchouts (1.1 IP), John Satriano had three (1.2 IP) and Zach Thiac earned the win after tossing one inning to improve his record to 1-1.

Nicholls had seven hits in the game, led by Vargas and Zorn who were both 2-for-4. Vargas' base knock in the fifth extended the senior's hitting streak to seven games while helping Nicholls erase a 2-0 deficit.

The Colonels found themselves down after the top of the second inning when two errors allowed a pair of Tigers to cross the plate. However, JSU returned the favor in the fifth by recording three errors, which also led to two unearned runs. Vargas singled to left, and an error by Bryce Taylor on the play allowed Correa to score. Vargas then came home on an error by the shortstop, tying the game at 2-all.

Both pitching staffs then took control the rest of the way. Alexander Juday pitched eight innings for the Tigers, allowing two unearned runs on five hits while striking out five. Parra threw 3.1 innings out of the pen, giving up two hits and took the loss after the Colonels' ended the game with their run in the 12th.

Also recording hits for the Colonels were Philip Lyons and Keith Cormier.