Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team dropped a 16-9 decision to Lamar University in Game 1 Friday night at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
The Cardinals (15-28, 9-13 SLC) claimed the victory with the help of a 12-run second inning, taking advantage of eight hits and four walks in the frame. Lamar starting pitcher Tanner Driskill was flawless until the fourth inning when he allowed three runs on three Colonel (17-26, 7-12 SLC) hits, highlighted by a two-run homer from senior Chet Niehaus.
 
Chad McKinney struck a one-out triple to deep center in the sixth to increase the Cardinals lead to 13-3, but Nicholls continued to fight back. The Colonels scored three in the bottom of the sixth via an RBI double from senior Lee Clark and a two-RBI single via sophomore Dillon Belle.
 
Lamar regained a double-digit edge at 16-6 in the top of the eighth, scoring three runs on RBI singles by Cole Girouard, Robin Adames and Logan Lejeaune. Nicholls countered with a three-run eighth off RBI singles by Belle and freshman Nathan Tribble and a sacrifice fly by senior Joey Morales but was unable to overcome the large early deficit.
 
Four Nicholls student-athletes finished with multiple hits, including Belle who drove in a team-high three runs. The Colonels nearly matched the Cardinals in hits, only falling 16-12 in that department.
 
Senior Alex Ernestine was handed the loss, falling to 3-4. He allowed 10 runs (seven earned) on seven hits and four walks. The pitching staff issued 12 walks, the most in a game this season.
 
Driskell picked up the win for Lamar, improving to 5-3 as he gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits in seven innings. At the dish, Adames recorded five hits while Phillip Ingram, Lejeune and McKinney finished with three RBIs apiece.
 
Nicholls will look to respond in Game 2 against the Cardinals Saturday at the Did. 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.