THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team fell behind in the fourth inning against Abilene Christian and the Wildcats held on for a 5-3 victory in the Sunday series finale at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
The Colonels (5-8, 1-2 SLC) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second when an Alex Tucker double scored Brandon Harigel.
 
Abilene Christian (8-4, 2-1 SLC) loaded the bases in the fourth, before a three-run double put the Wildcats ahead, 3-1.
 
Nicholls chipped in a run in the fifth when a Joey Morales sac fly sent tucker home.
 
Abilene Christian answered with a run in the seventh, and another in the eighth, jumping out to a 5-2 advantage.
 
The Colonels took advantage of a Wildcat error in the eighth to score a run, but Nicholls was unable to climb all the way back.
 
Tucker went 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, while Reese and Harigel each finished 1-for-2 with a run scored
 
Austin Call led Abilene Christian with a 2-for-4 day and three RBIs.
 
Mike Hanchar (0-2) took the loss, despite a dominant start that included three consecutive strikeouts to open the game. Hanchar allowed three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts through four innings of work. Robbie Petty gave up one run on four hits while fanning three batters through three innings. Adam Tarver surrendered one run on one hit in the eighth. Hunter Speer, Zach Thiac and Daniel Goff combined to throw the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
 
Aaron Mason (3-0) was awarded the win for the Wildcats, allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts through five innings of work. Nick Palacios picked up his fifth save of the year, fanning two batters without allowing a hit through the final 1 1/3 innings.
 
The Colonels next 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.