CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Nicholls State University baseball team produced a five-run eighth inning but was unable to complete the comeback against the University of California Santa Barbara Sunday in its finale of the 2018 Kleberg Bank College Classic.
 
The big inning commenced with senior first baseman Kyle Knauth doubling down the right-field line. Sophomore Dillon Belle crushed a double to center field later in the inning and senior infielder Ethan Valdez brought home Champ Davison on a single to left, cutting the deficit to one at 7-6.
 
Unfortunately, the Gauchos (2-5) used a ground-rule double in the ninth to rewiden the gap, and the Colonels (1-6) were unable to counter in the bottom half. Nicholls matched UCSB with 13 hits.
 
Sophomore lefty Bryan Taylor (0-2) was handed the loss as he tossed 5.0 innings and allowed one earned run. UCSB starter Chris Clements (1-1) picked up the win, giving up one earned run in 5.2 innings on four strikeouts. Righty Noah Davis notched his first save of the season after throwing a scoreless ninth.
 
Senior shortstop Joey Morales was named to the Kleberg Bank College Classic All-Tournament team, hitting .357 with a team-high four RBIs.
 
Nicholls looks to respond Wednesday as it faces UL-Lafayette at Russo Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.  
 
Get your season or single-game tickets now by calling 985-448-4790 or visiting nichollstickets.com. Please click here for more information on joining the 2018 Nicholls Baseball Coaches Committee. Visit geauxcolonels.com for the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_BASE.