THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team drove in three runs and held off New Orleans for a 3-2 victory on Senior Day at Ray E. Didier Field, extending the Colonels' winning streak against the Privateers to 14 games.
 
Nicholls (25-30, 13-16 SLC) jumped out to a 3-0 advantage, but the New Orleans (30-23, 14-15 SLC) used a pair of singles and a triple in the eighth inning to pull within a run. The next Privateer batter drew a walk, placing runners on first and second with only one out, but the Colonels turned a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning and preserve the lead.
 
Kyle Reese started things off in the sixth with an RBI-single that allowed Kyle Knauth to score and gave Nicholls a 1-0 lead. Alex Tucker put the Colonels up by three runs after a single brought both Dylan Manichia and Reese in.
 
Manichia led the Nicholls offense for a second-consecutive night, batting 2-for-3 with a run scored. Tucker finished 1-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and Reese hit 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Joey Morales turned in a 1-for-2 outing, while Ethan Valdez went 1-for-3 at the plate. Gavin Wehby registered a 1-for-4 performance in the victory.
 
Aaron Palmer paced the New Orleans offense, batting 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
 
Cole Stapler (5-6) was outstanding from the mound, allowing two runs on five hits with 5 strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
 
Hunter Medine (3-1) took the loss, surrendering three runs (two earned) on five hits, while fanning seven batters through 5 1/3 innings.
 
With consecutive victories over the Privateers on Thursday and Friday, the Colonels are now significantly closer to clenching a Southland Conference Tournament spot than they were heading into the weekend. If Nicholls can defeat New Orleans on Saturday and Stephen F. Austin wins at home against Lamar, the Colonels will punch a ticket to Sugar Land. However, due to the league's tiebreaker system, a loss by either Nicholls or the Lumberjacks would eliminate the Colonels from postseason contention.
 
First pitch for the weekend finale is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday at Maestri Field.
 
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
 
Nicholls
Saturday: LHP Alex Ernestine (3-5, 7.36 ERA, 30 SO, 44.0 IP)
 
New Orleans
Saturday: LHP Shawn Semple (5-4, 4.33 ERA, 72 SO, 70.2 IP)

For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball visit geauxcolonels.com. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_BASE.