HAMMOND, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team snapped Southeastern Louisiana's 14-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory on a stormy Friday night at Alumni Field.
 
The Colonels (12-15, 3-7 SLC) proved their walk-off win over South Alabama on Wednesday was no fluke by handing the Lions (20-7, 9-1 SLC) their first loss in Southland Conference action. Nicholls picked up the win against the league's top pitcher, Kyle Cedotal.
 
After falling behind, 4-3, in the seventh inning, the Colonels responded in a major way, answering with three runs to recapture the lead in the eighth. Southeastern La. loaded the bases and walked in a run in the bottom of the frame, but Nicholls held on for the victory.
 
The Lions scored first on Friday with a solo home run in the second inning.
 
The Colonels quickly punched back with a pair of runs in the third to secure a 2-1 advantage. With runners on first and second, Justin Holt singled and a throwing error allowed both Dylan Manichia and Ethan Valdez to score.
 
Southeastern La. threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning with two on and no outs, but Nicholls turned a triple play to close out the inning in dramatic fashion. Brandon Harigel caught a line drive at first, touched the bag and fired the ball to Joey Morales who laid down a tag at second as the Colonel dugout exploded onto the field.
 
Visibly rattled, Southeastern La. committed back-to-back errors to open the sixth, allowing Holt and Kyle Knauth to reach. A fielder's choice and a throwing error on the next play allowed Holt to come home.
 
Just when it appeared Nicholls had a stranglehold on the game, Mother Nature intervened on the Lions' behalf and lightning delayed the ballgame for 30 minutes.
 
Rejuvenated from the break, Southeastern La. held the Colonels scoreless in the top of the seventh and flipped the momentum with in three runs in the bottom of the frame.
 
Nicholls fought back with three runs in the eighth. Valdez led off with a single before Holt reached on a fielder's choice. Knauth crushed a monster double into right field, scoring both Valdez and Holt. After two Lion pitching changes, Harigel reached on an error, allowing Knauth to score.
 
Southeastern La. walked in a run in the bottom of the frame and the Southland's leading batter, Jameson Fisher, stepped to the plate, trailing by one with two outs and bases loaded. The Colonels called Alex Ernestine out of the bullpen and Fisher lined out to first base, ending the inning.
 
Valdez led Nicholls with a 2-for-4 outing and two runs scored. Holt finished 1-for-4 with a pair of runs and Knauth hit 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
 
Brennan Breaud paced the Lions with two RBIs and a run. Fisher finished 3-for-4 with an RBI.
 
Justin Sinibaldi allowed just one run on six hits with two strikeouts through six innings on the hill. Zach Thiac (4-1) earned the win, allowing one run on one hit while fanning two batters in an inning of work. Robbie Petty gave up one run on one hit through 2/3 innings. Ernestine registered his first save of the season, tossing the final 1 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings with a strikeout.
 
Cedotal (4-3) took the loss for Southeastern La., surrendering six runs (one earned) on six hits through six innings of work.
 
The Colonels and Lions will meet for game two at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Thibodaux. The teams will return to Hammond for game three, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
 
Probable Pitching Rotation:
 
Nicholls
Saturday: RHP Cole Stapler (2-3, 3.20 ERA, 25 SO, 39.1 IP)
Sunday: LHP Mike Hanchar (0-3, 5.14 ERA, 18 SO, 21.0 IP)
 
Southeastern La.
Saturday: RHP Mac Sceroler (3-2, 2.32 ERA, 35 SO, 31.0 IP)
Sunday: LHP Domenick Carlini (3-0, 1.24 ERA, 33 SO, 36.1 IP)
 
The Colonels will next head to Beaumont, Texas for a two-game non-conference series against Lamar, beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball, visit geauxcolonels.com.