THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team used a three-run first inning to catapult its way to a 4-2 victory Wednesday night against Purdue University on Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
The Colonels (5-12) put up their three spot on two hits and an error. Junior infielder Ethan Valdez was plunked by the Ryan Beard's first pitch. Senior infielder Joey Morales then reached on a fielding error by Beard on a bunt.
 
Senior outfielder Chet Niehaus then advanced Valdez and Morales on a sacrifice bunt. Valdez came home on a wild pitch, and Morales was plated on a double to right-center field by senior infielder Gage Teer. Teer later scored on a sacrifice fly by senior outfielder Lee Clark.
 
That was all the offense the Nicholls pitching staff needed, limiting the Boilermakers (9-6) to seven hits. Sophomore lefty Bryan Taylor picked up his first win of the season, scattering three hits in four innings of work. Graduate student Christian Bahlinger was masterful during his 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit and recording all three Colonel strikeouts. Senior Cayden Hatcher earned the first save of his career, working around two hits and an error in the ninth.
 
Beard took the loss for Purdue, allowing four runs (two earned) in five innings. Relief pitchers Bo Hofstra and Ross Learnard did not allow a Nicholls hit in the final three innings. The Boilermakers were led at the plate by Skyler Hunter and Ben Nisle, who recorded two hits apiece.
 
The Colonels next test is their first league road series this weekend against Houston Baptist, commencing Friday at 2 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.