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THIBODAUX, La. – Fueled by a complete-game shutout from senior Alex Ernestine, the Nicholls State University baseball team bested the University of Central Arkansas 4-0 Friday night at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
Ernestine (5-5) scattered five hits and two walks and struck out 10 batters during his dominant performance. Seniors Joey Morales, Chet Niehaus and Gage Teer and redshirt junior Brady Bell fronted the Colonels (25-30, 13-16 SLC) offensively with two hits apiece.
 
Tyler Smith recorded two of the Bears (32-22, 17-12 SLC) five hits. Cody Davenport was handed the loss, falling to 5-4 as he allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk through five innings.
 
In the bottom of the first, Morales stroked a one-out single to right field, and Niehaus drove him home on a double down the right-field line. The Colonels added another score in the fourth when Teer plated freshman Xane Washington on a sacrifice fly after a UCA error prolonged the frame.
 
Niehaus nearly missed a homer on a one-out triple off the right-center field fence in the fifth. Following a walk by senior Kyle Knauth, fellow senior Lee Clark brought home Niehaus on a single to right field. Another error by Bears shortstop Josh Somdecerff allowed the final run to cross for Nicholls in the sixth.
 
That was more than enough for Ernestine, who did not allow an extra-base hit and struck out batters swinging to conclude the first, second and third innings.
 
The Colonels make one final push for the SLC Tournament on Saturday in their regular-season finale against UCA. 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.