THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team trailed Spring Hill College by a run in the top of the seventh before a scoring three in the bottom of the frame to earn a come-from-behind 8-6 victory on Fan Appreciation Night at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
The Colonels (22-14-1) started things off with a bang in the first inning when Kyle Reese crushed a solo home run over the right field wall. In the second, Eagle Wuestney blasted a three-run base-clearing bomb over the Hampton Inn & Suites sign in right, giving Nicholls a 4-0 advantage.
 
The Badgers (26-12) got on the board in the third, scoring a run after Hunter D'Armond walked and eventually came home on a fielder's choice.
 
In the bottom of the frame, Darius Knight led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored when Reese notched a single to centerfield.
 
In the top of the fourth Alex Jones fired a line drive into deep right field and looked have an extra-base hit. Knight sprinted back, leaping and crashing into the outfield wall, snagging the ball only inches from the top of the fence and securing the catch through a rough landing. Jones, who had already rounded first base, removed his helmet and tipped it to Knight as a show of respect for the exceptional play.
 
In the fifth, Willie Floros singled to left, advanced to second on a Pete Spradlin single, took third on a wild pitch and came home on a Taylor Eads single through the right side.
 
Things got interesting in the sixth inning when Spring Hill scored two of runs, aided by a mental miscue from the Colonels. With two outs and runners on first and second, an unnecessary pick-off attempt resulted in an errant throw that advanced both runners. In the next at bat, D'Armond singled to shortstop, bringing the pair home and pulling the Badgers within a run.
 
The nightmare for Nicholls continued in the top of the seventh when Floros led off with a single to left field and advanced on a ground out. He took third on a passed ball before Eads was drilled in the back with an errant pitch. A wild pitch allowed Floros to come home, tying the game. Spring Hill briefly grabbed the lead after Jones singled up the middle, scoring Eads.
 
The Colonel bats awakened in the bottom of the frame as David Zorn led off with a line-drive single to right field. Joey Morales followed with a single to shortstop and the pair advanced on a Justin Holt sacrifice bunt. In the subsequent at bat, Knight singled to center, scoring both Zorn and Holt as Nicholls recaptured the lead. Knight took third on a Reese fly out and came home on a wild pitch, adding a security run and giving the Colonels an 8-6 advantage.
 
Reliever Stuart Holmes closed out the ninth with three strikeouts, sealing the hard-fought win for Nicholls.
 
Robbie Petty (2-1) earned the win, allowing just one hit while fanning three batters through 1 2/3 innings on the mound. Holmes earned his 12^th save of the season after a dominant final inning.
 
Wesley Parrish (6-4) took the loss, surrendering eight runs on eight hits with three strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings on the hill.
 
Zorn paced the Colonels offensively with a 3-for-3 night and a run scored. Wuestney finished 1-for-4 with three RBIs and a run. Reese went 2-for-4, scoring once and knocking in two teammates. Knight hit 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
 
D'Armond led the Badgers' offense with a 1-for-3 outing, two RBIs and a run.
 
Nicholls will host Grambling State at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The matchup will be broadcast live on KNSU 91.5 FM.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com for live stats, video and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball.