Final Stats NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team defeated the University of New Orleans 8-5 at Maestri Field on Saturday behind an offensive eruption from senior shortstop Leo Vargas.
 
For the second game in a row the Privateers (11-28, 2-18 SLC) got off to an early lead in the first inning. Michael Cusimano reached on a fielder's choice before Reese Kanter notched a two-run blast over the right field wall, only the fifth homerun the Colonels have allowed in 44 games.
 
Nicholls (24-20, 14-6 SLC) cut the lead in half in the second inning after a Seth Steven single through the right side sent Philip Lyons in.
 
Christian Correa led off the sixth inning with a single through the left side and advanced to second on a Justin Holt bunt. Lyons then laid down a sac bunt, advancing Holt to second and Correa to third. Nicholls took the lead after Leo Vargas ripped a double down the leftfield line, clearing the bases. Vargas then stole third and came home on a sacrifice fly from Keith Cormier.
 
The Colonels added a security run in the seventh when David Zorn singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Correa double to center.
 
In the eighth inning, Vargas put an exclamation point on an outstanding offensive outing by crushing a solo home run over the left field wall. Cormier was subsequently hit by a pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before a Stevens single to right field brought him in.
 
The Privateers would not go down quietly, storming back in the bottom of the eighth to cut the lead to two. Kanter reached on a fielder's choice before Jonathan Coco walked. Andre Damiens cleared the bases with a double down the left field line. Cameron Hoffman then reached on a fielder's choice and Damiens scored on an error by Tyler Duplantis at third.
 
In the ninth, Lyons walked and advanced on a Vargas single to right field before taking advantage of a UNO error on a failed pickoff attempt to score the final run of the game.
 
Grant Borne (6-2) earned the win, throwing eight innings while allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Marc Frazier tossed the final frame for the Colonels, notching his first save of the season.
 
Lefty Mitchell Cohen (1-1) took the loss giving up six runs on eight hits in just three innings of work.
 
The Colonels struggled throughout the year to find offense, but have put together a string of productive offensive performances, scoring 39 runs over the last five games. In the previous matchup, Stevens had a perfect 4-for-4 outing at the plate. On Saturday it was Vargas' turn, going 5-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Both Correa and Cormier hit 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Stevens followed his perfect performance on Friday with two hits and two RBIs.
 
Kanter led UNO at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and scoring twice. Damiens was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run on the day.
 
The Colonels and Privateers return to Ray E. Didier Field for the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KTIB 640 AM.