HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Junior left fielder Chet Niehaus recorded his 11th multiple-hit game of the season as the Nicholls State University baseball squad dropped an 8-3 decision to Sam Houston State University Friday night at Don Sanders Stadium.
Niehaus has raised his batting average 92 points over the last 11 games to .398 and produced eight multiple-hit outings in that span.
The Colonels (18-14, 5-5 SLC) struck first with a run in the top of the first inning on a Juan Givan single up the middle that scored Ethan Valdez.
The Bearkats (21-9, 10-0 SLC) countered with a five-run opening frame sparked by four hits.
SHSU opened the third inning with a double down the right-field line. A single up the middle by Blake Chisolm scored the first run. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Nicholls then turned a 6-4-3 double play as the Bearkats notched another score to take a 7-1 lead.
Colonels starter Cole Stapler (3-4) responded by shutting down the Bearkats for the next three innings, allowing just one hit, an infield single, in that stretch.
Stapler was pulled in the bottom of the seventh after two consecutive one-out singles. Alex Ernestine limited the damage to just one run as SHSU pulled ahead 8-1.
Nicholls got two runs back in the eighth after an Ethan Valdez sacrifice fly and Gage Teer single through the left side moved the margin to 8-3.
The Colonels rallied for two hits in the ninth but were unable to put any runs on the board.
Nicholls matched the Bearkats with 11 hits. Eight of nine starters notched at least one.
Stapler took the loss on the mound, giving up 10 hits and eight runs (six earned) with five strikeouts and two walks. Ernestine tossed 1.2 scoreless relief innings.
Heath Donica (6-1) earned the win for SHSU, converting a quality start with six innings pitched and one run allowed. He gave up seven hits and struck out three. Robie Rojas recorded three hits and three RBIs to front the Bearkats.
Game 2 of the series will feature a 3 p.m. first pitch Saturday.
