THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team trailed by six runs in the second inning on Wednesday night, but the Colonels fought back to tie the game at seven apiece and a Gavin Wehby ninth-inning walk-off single gave Nicholls an 8-7 victory over Sacred Heart at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
The Colonels (6-8, 1-2 SLC) allowed three hits and surrendered five walks in a difficult-to-watch second inning as the Pioneers (1-7) jumped out to a 6-0 advantage.
 
Nicholls picked up a run in the bottom of the frame when Alex Shermer sent Justin Holt home on a single up the middle.
 
The Colonels took advantage of a pair of Sacred Heart miscues in the third inning to score four runs and climb their way back into the ballgame. Juan Givan reached on an error that allowed Kyle Reese to score, before a Kyle Knauth single up the middle sent Wehby in. Justin Holt subsequently reached on an error that allowed Givan to come home, before an Alex Tucker single through the right side scored Knauth.
 
Nicholls tied things up at six apiece in the fourth inning after a Knauth sacrifice fly brought Wehby home.
 
Two innings later, a Dan Schock single put the Pioneers up, 7-6.
 
The Colonels retied the contest in the seventh with a Joey Morales single that scored Dylan Manichia.
 
Shermer drew a leadoff walk in the ninth inning, before advancing on a Morales bunt single. A Sacred Heart throwing error on the play allowed both runners to advance. With first base vacant, the Pioneers elected to load the bases by intentionally walking Reese. Following the walk, Wehby stepped to the plate and crushed a grounder up the middle and Shermer easily crossed home plate for the winning run as Nicholls stormed the field.
 
Wehby finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored to lead the Colonels offensively. Knauth turned in a 1-for-3 outing with two RBIs and a run, while Tucker batted 3-for-4 with an RBI. Manichia scored once on a 2-for-3 night. Reese hit 2-for-5 with a run, while Morales went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Shermer scored a run and added an RBI, while batting 1-for-4 in the win.
 
Schock led Sacred Heart offensively with a 2-for-3 outing, two RBIs and a run scored.
 
Adam Tarver (1-0) earned the win for Nicholls, allowing just one hit over the final two scoreless innings of the ballgame. Jake Smith tossed the opening 1 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs on one hit with four walks and a strikeout. Daniel Goff pitched a solid 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits while fanning three batters.
 
Baylor Sundahl (0-1) took the loss for the Pioneers, entering the game in the ninth and giving up the game-winning hit.
 
Weather permitting, games two and three of the series will be played on Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m.
 
Probable Starters:
 
NICHOLLS
Thursday         -           RHP Justin Sinibaldi  (1-2, 3.60 ERA, 19 SO, 20.0 IP)
Friday              -           RHP Cole Stapler       (2-1, 1.77 ERA, 15 SO, 20.1 IP)
 
SACRED HEART
Thursday         -           TBA
Friday              -           TBA
 
The Colonels will conclude their nine-game home stand with a battle against Tulane at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and a matchup with Southern at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball, visit geauxcolonels.com.