THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team got off to a slow start on Friday night, falling behind, 5-0, after four innings. The Colonels responded with four runs over the fifth and sixth, but couldn't climb all the way back as Abilene Christian escaped with a 5-4 victory in the Southland Conference opener at The Did.
 
"We didn't win this game because we forgot how to win over the past week," Head Coach Seth Thibodeaux said. "I know that time is coming. There's no frustration, but it will get corrected."
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Wildcats (7-3, 1-0 SLC) broke things open with a Russell Crippen home run in the second. An inning later, Aaron Draper notched a solo shot that put ACU up, 2-0.
 
In the fourth, Mark Pearson singled and Alex Copeland was hit by a pitch, before a fielding error loaded the bases. Draper notched a two-run single up the middle, and during the subsequent at bat, Willie Harris scored from third as Draper was caught stealing.
 
With two outs in the fifth inning, Dylan Manichia crushed a double to the right field wall, before Ethan Valdez reached on an error by the second baseman. Valdez stole second, before Justin Holt drew a walk to load the bases. Kyle Reese stepped up with a single through the left side, scoring Manichia and Valdez. Alex Shermer immediately followed Reese's single with a hit up the middle that sent Holt in, but a ground out on the next at bat ended the frame.
 
In the sixth, Kyle Knauth reached on a fielding error and an errant throw allowed him to advance to second. Manichia subsequently singled through the left side, scoring Knauth, but the Wildcats closed out the inning.
 
Two innings later, leadoff batter Gavin Wehby was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a balk and reached third on a Knauth sacrifice bunt. After a ground out on the next at bat, Alex Tucker stepped to the plate. Tucker connected on what looked to be a game-tying bloop single to center, but Hunter Markwardt made a miraculous leaping grab to save the run.
 
"The baseball gods were on our side," Abilene Christian Head Coach Britt Bonneau said.
 
Wildcat closer Nick Palacios closed out the ninth inning with three consecutive strikeouts.
 
Reese finished 2-for-4, with two RBIs, while Manichia hit 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Shermer went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
 
Drapper turned in a 3-for-4 outing, with three RBIs and a run scored.
 
Justin Sinibaldi (1-2) took the loss, tossing a complete game, while surrendering five runs, four earned, on eight hits with eight strikeouts.
 
Kyle Carroll (1-1) picked up the win, allowing four unearned runs on six hits, while fanning five batters through 6 1/3 innings of work. Palacios earned his fourth save of the year, recording three strikeouts through the final two hitless, scoreless innings.
 
PITCHING MATHUP
 
NICHOLLS:
Saturday – RHP Cole Stapler (1-1, 2.13 ERA, 9 SO, 12.2 IP)
Sunday – TBA
 
ABILENE CHRISTIAN:
Saturday – RHP Garrett DeMeyere (2-0, 0.64 ERA, 5 SO, 14 IP)
Sunday – LHP Aaron Mason (2-0, 1.50 ERA, 7 SO, 12.0 IP)
 
Following this weekend's series, the Colonels will host a three-game series against Sacred Heart, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 10.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball, visit geauxcolonels.com.