THIBODAUX, La. – With the bases loaded and the game tied 3-3, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Kyle Reese put the ball in play and the throw home came too late as Joey Morales slid in safely and the Nicholls State University baseball team stormed the field, earning a walk-off victory over Houston Baptist on Saturday night at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
After a pitching duel through the first three innings, the Huskies (22-22, 12-11 SLC) broke the stalemate in the fourth with a solo home run from Samm Wiggins. Houston Baptist took advantage of a miscue by the Colonels (27-16-1, 13-10 SLC) in the fifth to add an unearned run and take a 2-0 lead.
 
Nicholls tied things up in a controversial sixth inning. Justin Holt and Darius Knight each singled, bringing up Reese. Reese singled to center field as a balk was called. On the play, Knight rounded second, thinking that Holt would be sent home and got caught in a run down. Knight tried to return to second and appeared to dive in safely, but was called out. A discussion ensued on how the balk factored into the equation, but the play was not overturned, leaving Holt and Reese at the corners. On the subsequent at bat, Tanner Vandevere singled to left field, bringing Holt home. The next batter, Seth Stevens singled to center, allowing Reese to score.
 
The Huskies regained the advantage with a solo home run from Zach Nehrir in the seventh.
 
The Colonels punched back in the eighth inning, tying the game at three apiece. Holt crushed a double to right center and advanced to third on a single from Knight. Vandevere subsequently singled to the shortstop, bringing Holt in.
 
In the final frame, Morales singled to right field before Holt singled through the right side. Shenanigans ensued as Houston Baptist Head Coach Jared Moon spent the next 10 minutes speaking with the umpires before eventually swapping his pitcher and third baseman in an attempt to slow down the momentum for Nicholls. Third baseman Curtis Jones intentionally walked Knight, loading the bases, before returning to third base and sending Dylan Zarosky back to the mound. Four pitches later, Reese ended the game with a fielder's choice to second.
 
Grant Borne started on the hill for the Colonels, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits with five strikeouts through 6 2/3 innings. Robbie Petty (3-1) earned the win, tossing the final 2 1/3 scoreless innings and holding the Huskies to just two hits with a strikeout.
 
Zarosky (0-1) took the loss, surrendering the final run and allowing two hits with a strikeout through one inning of work.
 
Holt was outstanding for Nicholls offensively, finishing 4-for-5 with two runs scored. Knight went 3-for-4 and Vandevere was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Reese finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Stevens was 1-for-2 with an RBI.
 
Nehrir paced Houston Baptist offensively with a 2-for-4 night, an RBI and a run.
 
The series-finale set for 1 p.m. on Sunday and will be broadcast live on KTIB 640 AM.
 
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