THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team did everything in its power to reach the Southland Conference Tournament on Saturday, earning a decisive 11-5 victory to complete a dominant three-game sweep of rival New Orleans at Maestri Park.
 
Despite the Colonels (26-30, 14-16 SLC) ending their season on a four-game winning streak that included a shutout victory over No. 11 Tulane, Stephen F. Austin's lopsided loss to Lamar at home on Saturday put Nicholls into a three-way tie with the Lumberjacks and Privateers (30-24, 14-16 SLC). League rules stipulate that in the case of a three-team tie, head-to-head matchups are thrown out, and seeding is determined by each team's record against the highest-finishing common opponent. Stephen F. Austin and New Orleans each earned at least one win over the top team in the league, Sam Houston, but the Bearkats swept Nicholls back in March, eliminating the Colonels from postseason play.
 
The Colonels were fully aware heading into Saturday's matchup that they would need some help from the Lumberjacks to stay alive, but the team played with reckless abandon from the outset, understanding it they could only control the outcome of their matchup with the Privateers.
 
Justin Holt started things off with a bang, crushing a leadoff double and stealing third. Joey Morales immediately followed with a double down the left field line, sending Holt home just minutes into the ballgame. Kyle Knauth subsequently drew a walk, forcing a pitching change, before New Orleans was able to escape the inning.
 
The Privateers answered in the bottom of the frame with a run of their own. Aaron Palmer drew a leadoff walk, before a double by Dakota Dean allowed him to score. After recording the double, Dean removed his helmet and began making obscene gestures in the direction of Nicholls pitcher Alex Ernestine, firing up the Colonel dugout and prompting a warning issued to both teams by the umpire crew.
 
Just as Nicholls was preparing to bat in the third inning, an announcement was made over the P.A. system that Lamar had taken a double-digit lead over Stephen F. Austin, effectively letting the Colonels know that even a win would not secure a tournament appearance. With nothing to play for but pride, Nicholls found plenty of it.
 
Holt drew a leadoff walk to open the third, advanced to second on a Morales sac bunt and came home on a Knauth single up the middle. Gavin Wehby reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third as Dylan Manichia took first on an error by Dean at third base. With runners at the corners, Kyle Reese blasted a double to left center, scoring both Wehby and Manichia. Confusion ensued after the play as a mystery Nicholls player was ejected from the dugout. After a lengthy explanation, it was determined that Wehby would have to leave the field for participating in Nicholls' standard sword gesture that has been performed all season after every multi-base hit.
 
The wild seesaw battle continued in the bottom of the frame as New Orleans drove in three runs to tie things up at four apiece.
 
The Colonels quickly punched back with two runs in the fourth. Alex Tucker led off with a single through the left side. Ethan Valdez subsequently reached on a fielder's choice, while a throwing error allowed Tucker to take third and Valdez to move to second. Morales followed with a single up the middle that sent both runners in and gave Nicholls a 6-4 lead.
 
The Privateers chipped in a run in the bottom of the frame, but the Colonels maintained a one-run advantage.
 
Nicholls ran away with the contest over the remaining innings, scoring a run in the fifth, a run in the sixth and three runs in the ninth, while holding New Orleans scoreless.
 
Tucker led the Colonel offense, batting 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Morales finished 2-for-4 and drove in four runs, while Reese hit 2-for-6 with a run scored and a pair of RBIs. Knauth went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run, while Valdez turned in a 1-for-4 outing and two runs scored. Manichia finished 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run, while Shermer hit 2-for-5 with an RBI. Quade Smith was 1-for-3 in the victory and drove in a run.
 
Palmer finished 3-for-4 with a pair of runs to pace the Privateers offensively.
 
Ernestine tossed the first 2 1/3 innings for Nicholls, allowing three runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Zach Thiac gave up one run on two hits through 2/3 innings of relief. Daniel Goff (1-1) was solid though five innings, ceding just one run on five hits, while fanning one batter. Robbie Petty tossed the final frame, holding New Orleans to one hit.
 
Shawn Semple (5-5) took the loss, surrendering six runs (two earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts through four innings on the hill.
 
Even though the Colonels' season has come to a close, Nicholls is still in line for several all-conference honors, which will be announced by the league office on Monday, May 23.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball visit geauxcolonels.com. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_BASE.