THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team fell behind in the second inning on Saturday and Southeastern Louisiana never relented, cruising to a 14-8 victory at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
The Lions (21-7, 10-1 SLC) held a 3-0 advantage in the third inning, before the Colonels (12-16, 3-8 SLC) responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.
 
Southeastern La. took complete control over the next four innings, pouring on 11 runs to secure a 14-2 lead midway through the seventh.
 
Nicholls fought back with a three-run home run in the bottom of the frame and a three-run blast in the eighth, but he Lions held on for the win.
 
Dylan Manichia led the Colonel offense, registering both three-run home runs. The bombs were the first of his career and also the first for Nicholls this season. Devin Morrill hit 1-for-1 with an RBI.
 
Jameson Fisher paced Southeastern La. offensively with a 2-for-2 night, three runs and two RBIs.
 
Cole Stapler (2-4) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits through four innings. Hunter Speer and Jake Smith were effective in relief, combining for 2 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings with three strikeouts.
 
Mac Sceroler (4-2) earned the win, giving up two runs on four hits with four strikeouts through six innings on the hill.
 
The teams will return to Hammond for the series rubber match, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
 
Probable Pitching Rotation:
 
Nicholls
Sunday: LHP Mike Hanchar (0-3, 5.14 ERA, 18 SO, 21.0 IP)
 
Southeastern La.
Sunday: LHP Domenick Carlini (3-0, 1.24 ERA, 33 SO, 36.1 IP)
 
Following Sunday's action the Colonels will head to Beaumont, Texas for a two-game non-conference series against Lamar, beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Nicholls will then take I10 to San Antonio to face Incarnate Word in a three-game league series beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball, visit geauxcolonels.com.