CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Nicholls State University baseball team battled back-and-forth in a seesaw battle against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday, but the Islanders ultimately edged the Colonels, 5-4, in a wild series-opener.
 
Nicholls (9-10, 1-3 SLC) got off to a rough start after a pair of base-running errors cost the Colonels multiple runs.
 
TAMUCC (8-8, 1-0 SLC) took advantage of Nicholls' mistakes, jumping out to a 2-0 lead after two innings.
 
Things went from bad to worse for the Colonels in the third when Kyle Reese led off and was drilled in the face by a fastball. Reese lay writhing on the ground for several minutes before eventually being helped off the field. He would not return.
 
The gruesome play ignited the Colonels, who rallied to avenge their teammate with three runs in the frame and secure a 3-2 advantage. After Justin Holt reached on an error, Brandon Harigel and Alex Shermer notched back-to-back singles to send him home. An Alex Tucker monster double to left center on the next at bat scored Harigel and Shermer.
 
Nicholls threatened to break the game open in the sixth, loading the bases with just one out, but the Islanders earned consecutive outs to escape the inning.
 
TAMUCC responded in the sixth to tie the ballgame at three apiece, but the Colonels punched back with a run in the seventh. Gavin Wehby led off with a single to second, before advancing on a perfectly placed sac bunt by Holt. Pinch hitter Kyle Knauth subsequently crushed a double to right center, scoring Wehby.
 
The seesaw battle continued as the Islanders used a two-run seventh to recapture the lead.
 
In the eighth inning, Nicholls put a runner on third with just one out, but the Islanders closed out the frame with consecutive strikeouts and held off the Colonels in the ninth to escape with the win.
 
Tucker led Nicholls offensively with a 2-for-5 night and two RBIs. Dylan Manichia finished 3-for-4. Wehby hit 3-for-5 with a run, while Ethan Valdez went 2-for-3.
 
Nick Anderson paced TAMUCC with a 2-for-3 night and two RBIs.
 
Zach Thiac (2-1) took the loss for the Colonels, surrendering two runs on two hits through 1/3 innings. Robbie Petty combined to toss the final 1 2/3 scoreless frames. Justin Sinibaldi got the start for Nicholls, giving up three runs on nine hits through six innings or work.
 
Garrett Harris (1-0) earned the win for the Islanders, allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts through 2 2/3 innings. Nolan Holland picked up his third save of the season, allowing just one hit in the final frame.
 
Probable Weekend Rotation
 
Nicholls:
RHP Cole Stapler       (2-2, 3.70 ERA, 22 SO, 24.1 IP)
TBA
 
TAMUCC:
RHP Devin Skapura   (1-2, 3.43 ERA, 13 SO, 21.0 IP)
TBA
 
Following this weekend's series, the Colonels will return to Thibodaux for a three-game home stand against Sam Houston, beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24. Nicholls will then host Louisiana-Lafayette at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, live on Cox Sports Television.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball, visit geauxcolonels.com.