Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – Senior pitcher Brandon Jackson tossed a complete game on Sunday as the Nicholls State University baseball team defeated the University of New Orleans 4-3, to sweep the series and take sole possession of the Southland Conference lead.

The Colonels (25-20, 15-6 SLC) took an early three-run lead in the first inning and looked to have control of the game, but went scoreless over the next four and allowed the Privateers (11-29, 2-19 SLC) to cut the lead to one. Nicholls added a run in the sixth before UNO answered with a run in the ninth, taking the game down to the final pitch.
 
Philip Lyons reached on an error by the second baseman and stole second, before Leo Vargas was drilled in the shoulder with a wild pitch. Keith Cormier grounded out to the pitcher, advancing both runners. Seth Stevens was then hit with a pitch, loading the bases, before a Charles Morton single through the left side scored Lyons. Tyler Duplantis then notched a single of his own that scored Vargas before the Privateers could end the inning.
 
Jonathan Coco led off the fifth inning with a single to second, before Hezekiah Randolph walked. Christian Correa attempted a pick off of Coco at second, but Coco took off and slid in at third base. Randolph advanced to second on the play. An Andre Damiens single cleared the bases, pulling UNO within one. Santana grounded out on a sac bunt, advancing Damiens to second, before Nick Morgan notched a double that advanced him to third. In a game-defining play, Zach Liberto laid down a squeeze bunt to third base that was fielded by Duplantis and fired home, narrowly beating Damiens for the out to end the inning and prevent the Privateers from tying the game.
 
In the sixth, Duplantis singled to center and advanced on a David Zorn ground out. Justin Holt then singled to right field, sending Duplantis in for the score.
 
Jonathan Santana led off the ninth inning with a walk and stole second, before a fielder's choice from Liberto advanced him to third. Mitchell Alexander then singled up the middle, before Reese Kantar singled to right, scoring Liberto. With two on and two out, the Nicholls coaching staff elected to leave Jackson on the mound, and their faith was rewarded as he struck out Samuel Capielano to end the game.
 
Jackson (3-1) earned the first complete-game win for the Colonels on the year, allowing three runs on twelve hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in nine innings on the day.
 
Alex Smith (1-7) took the loss, surrendering four runs (2 earned) on seven hits with two walks through seven innings.
 
Duplantis led Nicholls offensively, hitting 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Vargas was 1-for-2 with a run scored and Holt went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
 
Andre Damiens went 1-for-4 for UNO, notching two RBIs. Cameron Hoffman was 1-for-1 and scored once.
 
The Colonels will travel to New Orleans to face Tulane University in a midweek non-conference game at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Greer Field. The game will be broadcast live on KTIB 640 AM.