THIBODAUX, La. – Junior starting pitcher Trever Kilcrease struck out a career-high 14 batters and carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning against New Orleans, but the Privateers rallied with three runs as the Nicholls State University baseball team dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to open Southland Conference play Friday night on Ben Meyer Diamond at Didier Field.

The loss was the Colonels' fifth in a row, dropping their record to 7-8 on the season. With the ninth-inning rally, New Orleans improved to 9-3.

Kilcrease, who was making just his fourth start as a Colonel, struck out the side twice as he headed into the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead. After issuing his third walk of the game, the no-hit bid was broken up with one out in the ninth by Collin Morrill. With a runner on second, Morrill stroked a single to center to make it a 2-1 game.

Beau Balado (1-1) came in to try to save the win, but a double by Pearce Howard put runners in scoring position. An intentional walk loaded the bases and after a runner was forced out at home on a grounder to first, Tresten Kennard laced a single to the outfield for the go-ahead runs.

The Colonels put the tying run on second in the bottom of the ninth with one out, but Reeves Martin ended the game with two strikeouts for his fourth save.

Nicholls doubled up UNO in hits, 6-3, with Alec Paz and Champ Davison recording two each. The two combined for the first run in the opening inning when Paz doubled home Davison for an early 1-0 lead.
With Kilcrease cruising on the mound, the Colonels made it 2-0 in the fourth with an RBI single by Adam Tarver. It was set up by a two-out walk by Dane Simon and a Brady Bell single.

ON DECK
The Colonels will try to even the series Saturday against New Orleans with a 6 p.m. matchup at Didier Field.