THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball program matched Southeastern Louisiana University with eight hits, but an eight-run seventh inning by the Lions eventually led to an 11-6 Colonel defeat Sunday afternoon at Ray E. Didier Field.

SLU (24-15, 12-9 SLC) got a leadoff solo homer to left-center field from Ryan Bewers. Nicholls (21-21, 8-10 SLC) tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when junior Joey Morales scored on a groundout from fellow junior Gage Teer.

After Colonels starting pitcher Alex Ernestine (1-2) gave up Bewers' home run, he did not allow another hit until the seventh inning. The junior lefty took the loss after scattering three hits and giving up four runs (two earned). Ernestine struck out two and walked three on a season-high 6.0 innings pitched.

The Lions eight-run scoring barrage was capped by a bases-clearing three-RBI double from Taylor Schwaner followed by a Carson Crites two-run homer, his second of the series.

Nicholls fought back to add a run in the bottom of the seventh and four in the ninth but not before SLU added two more insurance runs.

The Colonels recorded five of their eight hits in the final frame. Morales and Teer found their second hits of the game in that inning. Teer batted .500 over the three-game stretch with three of four hits going for extra bases.

Nicholls returns to action Wednesday in a non-conference battle with Southern University in Baton Rouge. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.