Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team defeated Alcorn State University 8-1 on Fan Appreciation Night, righting the ship after a turbulent week.
 
The Colonels (27-23) had dropped two of their previous three games, including their most lopsided loss of the season, and needed to regain their confidence before making a push for the regular season conference championship. Nicholls took a large lead early on Tuesday and coasted to victory behind a strong offensive night and steady pitching.
 
The Braves (10-40) have had a rough year, but were riding their only win streak of the season entering Tuesday's ballgame.
 
After a pair of walks to open the game, Keith Cormier tripled down the right field line, clearing the bases and jump-starting the Colonels offense. Cormier scored on a wild pitch as Christian Correa walked. Correa then advanced to second on a wild pitch and eventually scored on a Tyler Duplantis single up the middle.
 
Seth Stevens singled through the right side in the second inning to send Leo Vargas home and put Nicholls up 5-0.
 
Déjà vu struck in the fourth inning as Stevens notched another single and brought Vargas in for the second straight time.
 
Vargas led off the fifth with a single up the middle that scored David Zorn and Brandon Jackson, bringing the score to 8-0.
 
Alcorn State erased the shutout in the sixth when a pitching error allowed Earl Burl III to come home.
 
Ryan Deemes (3-3) earned the win for the Colonels, tossing five scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
 
Daniel Belmont (0-7) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits with six walks through two innings.
 
Stevens went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to lead Nicholls offensively on the night. Vargas was 1-for-1 with two RBIs, three runs and four walks, while Zorn hit 2-for-3 with and scored once.
 
Christian Hickman was 3-for-3 on the night to lead the Braves at the plate.
 
The Colonels return to conference play and their pursuit of the regular season conference title this weekend against Stephen F. Austin. The teams will face off Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. with all three games broadcast live on KTIB 640 AM.