Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team blanked the University of Central Arkansas 4-0 in the series opener on Friday at Ray E. Didier Field behind opportunistic hitting and stifling defensive play.
 
Nicholls took a 1-0 lead in the first, added a pair of security runs in the second and another in the eighth, while completely shutting down the Bears offense. The Colonels rode a strong pitching effort and clawed their way out of tough situations with excellent defensive play as they have done all season long.
 
In the first at bat for the Colonels Philip Lyons reached on an error after the first baseman misjudged a high bouncing ball down the right field line. Lyons took second on a sacrifice bunt from Leo Vargas, advanced to third on a Keith Cormier groundout and came home on a single to right from Justin Smith.
 
In the sixth, Justin Holt led off with a bunt single and advanced on a Lyons groundout. Vargas singled up the middle, scoring Holt, before Cormier blasted a double to the right field wall, sending Vargas in for the score.
 
Nicholls added a final insurance run after Vargas notched a double, stole third and came home on a throwing error by catcher Brandon Montalvo.
 
Taylor Byrd (5-2) earned the win and regained his position as the top-ranked pitcher in the conference, throwing seven innings while allowing just four hits with eight strikeouts and four walks. Stuart Holmes claimed his second save of the season, fanning five batters over the final two innings.
 
Bryce Biggerstaff (2-4) took the loss, surrendering three runs (two earned) on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts through seven innings.
 
The Colonels are third in the nation in double plays and added two more to their season total on the night.
 
Head Coach Seth Thibodaux is now two games away from 100 career wins with Nicholls.
 
Game two of the series is tomorrow night with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KNSU 91.5 FM.