Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team battled the University of Central Arkansas neck-and-neck through eight innings, but a walk-off single to center field from Philip Lyons lifted the Colonels to a 3-2 victory on Saturday night at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
After a scoreless first inning, Nicholls came out hot in the second, notching four straight singles from Marc Frazier, Charles Morton, Tyler Duplantis and David Zorn to take a 1-0 lead.
 
The Bears answered in the second after Chris Townsend doubled to left center, advanced on a sac bunt from Scott Zimmerle and scored on a sac fly from Carson Dowdle.
 
In the fifth, Christian Correa and Justin Holt were hit by pitches in consecutive at bats before Lyons laid down a sac bunt, advancing the runners. In the subsequent at bat, Leo Vargas grounded out to second, scoring Correa. On the play, Holt advanced to third, not realizing that Correa had not gone home. At the last moment, Correa saw Holt coming to third and made a mad dash for home plate. The move caught Central Arkansas off guard and Correa was able to slide passed Bear's catcher Charles Deckard for the go-ahead score.
 
Central Arkansas fought back, answering in the sixth with a Zimmerle single to left field that brought Townsend home.
 
In the final frame, Zorn singled up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch from relief pitcher Connor McClain, who tripped and fell off of the mound in mid-throw. Pinch hitter Seth Stevens walked before pinch hitter Justin Smith was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Lyons. With a 2-2 count, Lyons ripped a line drive into center field, scoring Zorn as the Colonels stormed the field.
 
Grand Borne had a solid outing for Nicholls, tossing the first seven innings and allowing two runs on seven hits while fanning seven. John Satriano (2-1) earned the win, throwing the final two frames with no hits and a strikeout.
 
Chris Caudle (5-3) took the loss, throwing 8 1/3 innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
 
Duplantis led the Colonels from the plate, going 3-for-4 on the night his mother Mary threw out the first pitch. Zorn was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.
 
The Bears were led offensively by Townsend, who was 2-for-4 and scored twice.
 
The Colonels are now in a tie with McNeese State for first place in the conference standings.
 
Coach Seth Thibodeaux is one game away from his 100^th career win with Nicholls.
 
Sunday's series-finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Ray E. Didier Field and will air on KTIB 640 FM.