ABILENE, Texas – The Nicholls State University baseball team had a 1-0 lead and righty
Marc Frazier had a perfect game through five innings, but an offensive explosion from Abilene Christian in the sixth doomed the Colonels, who fell 3-2 on a frigid Friday night in Texas.
Nicholls (7-5-1, 0-1 SLC) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, taking advantage of a miscue by the Wildcats (1-7, 1-0 SLC).
Justin Holt reached on an error by the first baseman, stole second and advanced to third on a
Gavin Wehby bunt single. In the next at bat,
Marc Frazier reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Holt.
After five hitless innings, Abilene Christian suddenly caught fire in the sixth. The Wildcats scored three runs on three hits, assisted by a Colonel error in the frame.
Nicholls pulled within a run in the seventh when Wehby walked and eventually came home on a
David Zorn sacrifice bunt.
The Colonels shut down ACU in the seventh and eighth, but could not muster enough offense to tie the ballgame.
Mark Frazier (1-2) took the loss, throwing 5.1 innings and surrendering three runs (two earned) with five strikeouts. In relief, right-hander
Ryan Deemes fanned three Wildcat batters through 2.2 scoreless innings.
Righty Garrett DeMeyere (1-1) earned the win, surrendering two unearned runs with six strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work. Right-handed pitcher Kevin Sheets was awarded his first save of the year, fanning one Colonel batter and allowing one hit in the final inning.
Kyle Reese led Nicholls offensively, going two-for-three with a run. Frazier and Zorn each registered and RBI.
Alex Copeland had a 1-for-3 night with an RBI to pace Abilene Christian at the plate. Marcelle Carter was 0-for-4, but contributed an RBI and scored a run in the win.
The Colonels were originally set to play a 2 p.m. Saturday ballgame and close out their series on Sunday, but inclement weather forced a schedule change. Nicholls and Abilene Christian are now slated to play a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The first game of the doubleheader can be heard live in KTIB 640 AM. Broadcast plans for the series-finale will be announced on Saturday.
Visit geauxcolonels.com for live stats, video and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball.
