Final Stats HAMMOND, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team fell to Southeastern Louisiana University 4-2 in the series opener on Friday night.
 
The Colonels (25-22, 15-7 SLC) tightened up their defense late, but could not muster enough offense, with only six hits, to overtake the lead.
 
The Lions (28-19, 13-9 SLC) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning after Andrew Godbold singled to right field, scoring Jacob Seward. On the next at bat, Sam Robertson notched a sac fly to right, allowing Jameson Fisher to score.
 
Southeastern took command of the game after scoring two additional runs in the third inning. Godbold chipped his second single in as many bats, bringing Jacob Williams home. Fisher then scored his second run of the game when Daniel Midyett reached on a fielder's choice sacrifice bunt, bringing the score to 4-0.
 
Nicholls would not go down without a fight, cutting the lead in half in the fourth inning. Christian Correa singled through the left side, before Tyler Duplantis walked. Charles Morton then blasted a shot to the left field wall that allowed both runners to score. The Colonels could not come any closer on the night with both teams going scoreless through the final five innings.
 
Taylor Byrd (7-3) took the loss, giving up four runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and a walk on the night.
 
Kyle Cedotal (3-2) earned the win, tossing 7 2/3 innings while surrendering two runs (none earned) on six hits, fanning three batters and walking two. Dylan Hills received his fourth save of the season, hurling 1 1/3 innings and striking out three of the four batters he faced.
 
Duplantis led the Colonels offensively going 1-for-3 with a run. Correa and Philip Lyons each went 2-for-4, with Correa scoring once. Morton looked to earn two RBIs on a double off the left field wall, but the play was ruled an error.
 
Southeastern was led by Godbold offensively, hitting 3-for-4 with two runs batted in. Seward was 2-for-3 with a run, and Fisher scored twice on a 2-for-4 night.
 
The Colonels and Lions will play game two on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Thibodaux, before returning to Hammond for the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Both games will air on KTIB 640 AM.