THIBODAUX, La. – Senior left-handed pitcher Alex Ernestine tossed eight strong innings as the Nicholls State University baseball team topped Northwestern State, 5-4, Friday night on Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
Ernestine allowed six hits and two earned runs while striking out seven. The Coconut Creek, Florida, native allowed runners in scoring position in four innings but only allowed a run in the first and sixth on doubles from J.P. Lagreco and Austin Stegall, respectively.

The Colonels (4-10, 1-0 SLC) recorded seven hits, three of which by redshirt junior infielder Brady Bell. Nicholls tied the game at one in the third when senior infielder Ethan Valdez scored on a Demons (7-7, 0-1 SLC) error.
 
Bell later roped a double down the left-field line in the fifth to score fellow senior Lee Clark. Two batters later, senior infielder Joey Morales cleared the bases on a triple to left-center and came home on a throwing error by shortstop Caleb Ricca.
 
Nicholls took a 5-2 lead into the ninth when Northwestern State pinch hitter Lenni Kunert smacked a two-RBI double down the right-field line. After Austin Bollinger walked the next batter, junior Jake Bedevian induced a double play on the next play to secure the victory.
 
The Colonels face the Demons in Game 2 Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Visit geauxcolonels.com and follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_BASE for the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball. Season tickets, six suite tickets per game at $20/ticket, 15- and 25-game flex packages and Coaches Committee passes are available for purchase. Contact the ticket office at 985-448-4790 or go to www.nichollstickets.com for more information.