LAKE CHARLES, La. – McNeese scored six runs in the sixth to pull away from the Nicholls State University baseball team as the Colonels dropped the series against the Cowboys with a 12-3 setback Saturday night at Joe Miller Park.
 
Nicholls (13-10, 5-3 SLC) had 10 hits in the loss but could only manufacture runs in the first, seventh and eighth innings. McNeese (17-6, 8-0 SLC) was able to turn 12 hits into 12 runs, scoring three in the bottom of the first and one in the fifth before exploding for six in the sixth. The Cowboys used two doubles and a homer to fuel the big inning.
 
Four Colonels had multi-hit games as Juan Givan, Dillon Belle Viel, Quade Smith and Chet Niehaus had two hits apiece. Belle Viel and Smith each had a double while Givan scored the Colonels' final run on his first career home run in the eighth. Chet Niehaus also had a double to lead off the game and scored on a groundout by Gavin Wehby.
 
Cayden Hatcher (2-2) suffered the loss for Nicholls, lasting 4.0 innings with four earned runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out one before leaving in the top of the fifth. Five pitchers saw action out of the bullpen, with all surrendering a hit with the exception of Jeremy Scott who recorded the final two outs for the Colonels.
 
While McNeese's offense continued to produce, the Cowboys received a strong outing from starting pitcher Rhett Deaton. He scattered eight hits in the win, allowing three earned runs in eight innings of work.
 
Joe Provenzano led McNeese after going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Shane Selman had two hits and drove in three, including a leadoff homer in the sixth.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Colonels and Cowboys will wrap up the series Sunday at 1 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on ESPN Radio New Orleans 100.3 FM following the completion of basketball.
 
For the latest news on Colonel baseball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_BASE.