THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball program utilized 11 hits and quality pitching and defense to top Jackson State University 4-2 Wednesday night on Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.

Eight of nine Colonels (26-24) in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit. Junior Cayden Hatcher tossed 5.1 innings and allowed just two runs on four hits. The righty struck out four and walked three to improve his record to 4-4. Sophomore Adam Tarver threw two perfect innings, striking out two to pick up his eighth save of the season.

The Tigers (36-15-1) were led offensively by Bryce Brown who drove in both of their runs. Reliever Joshua Santiago took the loss as he allowed two runs in 1.2 innings, dropping his record to 1-4.

Junior third baseman Gage Teer put Nicholls' first run on the board with a bases-loaded single to left field on a check swing in the bottom of the third inning. Brown hit a hard grounder through the left side in the next frame to tie the contest at one.

Junior shortstop Joey Morales led off the fourth with a double to right-center field and later stole third. Sophomore second baseman Ethan Valdez plated Morales on a single up the middle that gave the Colonels a 2-1 edge.

Nicholls added its third run in the fifth when senior catcher Alex Tucker hit a tailing liner that fell for a double just beyond the outstretched glove of JSU right fielder Calvin Newsome and drove home junior first baseman Kyle Knauth.

The Colonels added another insurance run in the seventh when senior outfielder Quade Smith drove a 2-2 pitch into center field, scoring junior outfielder Chet Niehaus.
Nicholls' bullpen held the Tigers in check for the final three innings behind the arms of senior Mike Hanchar and Tarver.

The Colonels return to action in a pivotal split series this weekend against the University of New Orleans, a team that is currently in a three-way tie for seventh with Nicholls and Lamar.