NEW ORLEANS – The baseball game between Nicholls State University and the University of New Orleans Saturday at Maestri Field was scoreless through seven and a half innings before the Privateers broke through with two runs in the bottom of the eighth to earn a 2-0 win.

The two-bagger that plated those two came off the bat of catcher Beau Bratton. Senior Alex Ernestine allowed just two hits through the first seven innings, but back-to-back doubles by Orynn Veillon and Bratton handed the lefty his fifth loss of the season. Ernestine tossed all eight innings, recording four walks and three strikeouts.  

The Colonel s (23-28, 11-15 SLC) were not without opportunities, leaving 10 runners on base and outhitting the opposition 7-4. Nicholls' best chance came in the seventh when senior Chet Niehaus singled and senior Kyle Knauth was hit by a pitch. Fellow senior Lee Clark advanced the two on a sacrifice bunt but back-to-back strikeouts by Reeves Martin ended the threat.

Martin picked up the win for UNO (23-28, 12-14 SLC), improving to 2-4. He hurled 2.1 scoreless innings, recorded five strikeouts and surrendered just one hit.

The Colonels hope to salvage the series on Sunday at the Did. First pitch is scheduled for 1 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.