LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team held a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning, but McNeese State clawed its way back, tying the game in the sixth before stealing the victory with a walk-off solo home run in the 11^th.
 
Both teams fought through a defensive stalemate from the seventh inning through the 10^th, but in the final frame Matt Gallier caught hold of a pitch and sent it over the wall in left center for the game winner.
 
The ballgame opened with three scoreless innings before the Colonels (24-16-1, 11-10 SLC) broke things open with a three-run fourth. Kyle Reese notched a bunt single to the catcher and advanced to second on a Seth Stevens single to left center. Justin Smith blasted a triple into deep right field, bringing both Reese and Stevens home. Alex Tucker subsequently laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Smith.
 
Nicholls added a run in the fifth when Holt led off with a single to left field, took second and third on consecutive wild pitches and came home on a Stevens single through the right side.
 
The Cowboys (24-20, 14-10 SLC) quickly responded, cutting the Colonel advantage in half in the bottom of the frame. After a pair of singles, a sacrifice fly sent Connor Lloyd in, before a double from Billy Sommers scored an additional run.
 
Things got interesting in the sixth when McNeese took advantage of a Nicholls miscue to tie the game at four apiece. After a leadoff walk, Lewis Guilbeau singled to shortstop before Lucas Quary reached on a fielder's choice, loading the bases. On the play, Justin Sinibaldi made a throw to third that would have eliminated the lead runner, but the ball was dropped. On the next at bat, a Gallier single scored a run when the ball took a fortuitous bounce off the foot of Sinibaldi. After a pitching change, Andrew Guillotte singled off the glove of relief pitcher Robbie Petty, allowing Gilbeau to come home.
 
Sinibaldi received a no decision, tossing five innings and giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts. Petty was solid in relief, allowing just two hits while fanning one batter through three scoreless innings of work. Stuart Holmes (2-1) took the loss, throwing two innings and surrendering the final run.
 
Collin Kober (4-1) earned the win, taking the mound for the final 4 2/3 innings and holding the Colonels to one hit with five strikeouts.
 
Smith paced Nicholls offensively with a 2-for-4 outing, two RBIs and a run scored. Stevens finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, while both Holt and Reese went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
 
Gallier had an exceptional outing at the plate for the Cowboys, finishing with two RBIs and a run on a perfect 3-for-3 day.
 
The Colonels will return to Thibodaux for an eight-game home stand beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday against Louisiana-Lafayette. The contest will be broadcast live on KTIB 640 AM.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com for live stats, video and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball.