THIBODAUX, La. -- Despite putting together two competitive performances, the Nicholls State University baseball program (0-2, 0-0 Southland) suffered back-to-back losses on opening day at the Baseball on the Bayou Classic, initially falling to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (1-0, 0-0 OVC) by an 8-5 margin before dropping a 7-3 contest to George Washington (1-0, 0-0 A-10) late Friday evening.

Offensively, senior Dillon Belle impressed as the Red & Gray's designated hitter across both matchups -- three hits, two runs scored and a walk -- while redshirt sophomore Nathan Tribble collected the most RBIs, notching a pair on the day behind a well-hit pitch down the right-field line.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- The Colonels managed to stay within striking distance throughout both contests, entering the final frame against SIUE tied at five apiece while trailing George Washington by just two at the start of the ninth.
-- Senior RHP Trever Kilcrease put on a clinic in the opener against the Cougars, setting down 11 total batters across five and two-thirds innings of work. Despite the Florida native surrendering five total runs, he was only saddled with one earned for the game and finished with a no decision.
-- Meanwhile, game two starter Shane Mejia Jr. composed a solid outing as well after recovering from rocky beginning, retiring 10 Colonials on strikes and giving up just six hits. The sophomore allowed GW to surge to a quick lead across the initial two frames, giving up two runs in the first and another three in the second, before shutting down the order through the conclusion of the sixth inning.
-- The Colonels offense put together a few solid frames of work as well, including a brilliant response to SIUE in the sixth and a strong showing against GW in the fourth. In the former, Belle and fellow senior Alec Paz led off the inning with back-to-back doubles for a quick score before junior Ivan Prejean wrapped up the scene with a floater in the left field, notching another run. The latter featured Tribble's well-timed blast down the right-field line, plating both Belle and junior Austin France in the process.
-- Notably, freshman Brayden Jobert turned some heads in his collegiate debut, jacking a solo home run over the right field wall late in the George Washington contest.

UP NEXT
With the season-opening doubleheader concluded, the Colonels wrap up their involvement in the Baseball on the Bayou Classic on Saturday, Feb. 15, rematching Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at 6 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Baseball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_BASE), Instagram (@geauxcolonels) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).