THIBODAUX, La. -- The Nicholls State University baseball program was unable to overcome a late rally by Stephen F. Austin in the series opener on Friday evening, falling by an eventual 5-1 mark to the Lumberjacks on Didier Field.

With the loss, Nicholls falls to a 25-25 overall record (11-14 Southland) on the year while SFA improves to a 22-28 mark (14-11 Southland).

The matchup proved a pitching duel nearly from first pitch, as starters Jacob Bedevian (3-4) and Alex Palmer (5-6) managed to contain both batting orders to a combined eight hits and three runs on the night, striking out a joint nine as well. While Palmer initially surrendered a solo home run and the lead in the fourth, the Lumberjacks rattled off four runs (two from Bedevian) in the eighth to seal the win.

Offensively, Adam Tarver's fourth frame solo jack vaulted the Colonels to an early 1-0 advantage, as the junior jolted a first-pitch strike over the left-field wall. Stephen F. Austin responded two outs deep into the eighth inning, picking up their first pair of runs on a bases-loaded single up the middle before a rain-induced error during the next at-bat allowed two more to cross home plate, pushing the Lumberjacks to a 4-1 edge. SFA tacked on one more insurance run in the ninth off an RBI single, securing the 5-1 eventual victory.

In relief, the Colonels bullpen sent out Beau Balado to face four batters in the eighth and Nick Heckman for the remaining 1.1 innings, setting down two on strikes with one run allowed on two hits.

UP NEXT
The series against Stephen F. Austin continues Saturday evening as the Colonels aim to even the series, first pitch set for 6 p.m at Didier Field.

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