THIBODAUX, La. – Things looked bleak for the Nicholls State University baseball team, facing a four-run deficit in the first inning, but the squad fought back, erupting offensively and cruising to a 16-6 victory on Wednesday night at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
Nicholls' 16 runs were a season-high, surpassing its previous mark of 14 against Alcorn State on March 31. The Colonels also set season-highs in total bases (25) and doubles (four), while falling just shy of their season-high for hits, with 16 on the night. The Dirty Red finished with a season-high 16 assists and the Nicholls pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts without a conceding a single walk.
 
The Warhawks (21-24) shocked the Colonels (25-16-1) early, scoring with four quick runs in the first inning. With winds gusting towards the wall in left center at 19 mph, ULM took full advantage. Keelin Rasch launched a triple to the centerfield wall and came home on a Kodie Tidwell single to left. Danny Springer subsequently registered home run over the wall in left center, clearing the bases. In the next at bat, Spencer Hemphill homered just inside the left field foul pole.
 
Nicholls punched back in the second inning, cutting the Warhawks' lead in half. Seth Stevens earned a leadoff walk before Justin Smith crushed a two-run home run to right center. The Colonels subsequently loaded the bases, threatening to tie or take the lead, but ULM was able to close out the inning without further damage.
 
After a scoreless third, Nicholls absolutely caught fire in the fourth, rallying to take a 9-4 lead with seven runs on seven hits in the frame. David Zorn doubled to right center before Joey Morales walked. The Colonels successfully executed a double steal and an errant throw from the Warhawks catcher allowed Zorn to score. In the next at bat, Holt doubled down the leftfield line, trading places with Morales. After a pitching change, Darius Knight doubled to center field, sending Holt home. Knight advanced to third on a wild pitch, before Kyle Reese singled to left, bringing Knight in. Reese stole second and advanced to third on a line-drive single from Stevens. Smith subsequently notched a base-clearing double to right center. Smith took third on a wild pitch, before coming home on a Christian Correa single to left center.
 
Nicholls added two additional runs in the fifth. Holt fired a line-drive single off the midsection of the ULM pitcher, Josh Leon, and advanced to second on a balk. Knight notched a nearly identical line-drive single that bounced off of the glove Leon, advancing Holt to third. On the next play, Knight successfully stole second and a wild pitch allowed Holt to score. The following batter, Reese, singled through the right side, sending Knight in and giving the Colonels an 11-4 advantage.
 
Nicholls added five insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth.
 
The Warhawks chipped in a pair of runs in the ninth, but the game was long out of reach.
 
Righty Cole Stapler got the start for the Colonels, surrendering four runs on four hits through an inning of work. Righty Marc Frazier (2-5) picked up the win, allowing just five hits, with six strikeouts through six scoreless innings on the mound. Ryan Deemes was dominant in relief, allowing just one hit, while fanning three batters through one frame on the hill. Zach Thiac tossed the final inning, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
 
Brayden Bouchey (4-3) took the loss, giving up five runs on five hits, with three walks and fanning one batter in 3 1/3 innings on the mound.
 
Seven Nicholls batters recorded multi-hit outings, led by Smith, who finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Not to be outdone, Reese went 3-for-5 with five RBIs and scored once. Knight was 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring twice and batting in a run. Holt finished 2-for-4 and scored twice with an RBI. Zorn was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Stevens went 2-for-4 with two runs. Correa turned in a 2-for-4 outing with an RBI.
 
Springer paced ULM offensively, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
 
The Colonels will look to continue their outstanding offensive play this weekend as the team hosts Houston Baptist in a three-game Southland Conference series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Game two is slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday and the series-finale is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday. All three matchups will be broadcast live on KTIB 640 AM.
 
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