THIBODAUX, La. -- Less than a week removed from composing a walkoff victory over McNeese, the Nicholls State University baseball program (4-5, 0-0 Southland) managed a near-identical ninth inning comeback in the series opener against LIU (1-4, 0-0 NEC), topping the Sharks by a final 4-3 margin Friday evening at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.

Entering the final frame trailing by the same deficit (3-1) as Monday afternoon versus the Cowboys, the Red & Gray once again aimed to upend expectations and complete a late-game rally. Unlike this week's earlier contest with McNeese, however, the Colonels received much more help from their opposition, as the bottom of the ninth proceeded as follows:
1) Jobert groundout to third
2) Tarver reaches on catcher's interference
3) Paz hit-by-pitch
4) Tribble walked
5) Prejean hit-by-pitch (RBI)
6) Sandberg reaches on an fielder's choice (RBI)
7) Gotreaux hit-by-pitch
8) Simon hit-by-pitch (RBI)

Notably, LIU reliever Rob Griswold (0-1) awarded four runners a free base on a hit-by-pitch -- including the eventual game-winner to Dane Simon -- as well as one more on a walk; meanwhile, the remainder of the Sharks defense failed to turn a double play (Sandberg's fielder's choice) and gave up one more base on a catcher's interference.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- With the win, the Colonels improve to 4-5 overall on the season while LIU falls to a 1-4 mark.
-- On the mound, starter Trever Kilcrease kept his no decision streak alive with another competitive 5.1 innings in control, surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits with five total strikeouts. Additionally, fellow senior LHP Beau Balado (1-2) notched his first win of the season on 1.2 frames of work, allowing no runs on zero hits while setting down two batters on strikes. 
-- Offensively, the Red & Gray struggled to get much going throughout the night, finishing with just four total hits along with four RBIs.

UP NEXT
The four-game series against LIU continues on Saturday evening, first pitch set for 6 p.m. at Didier Field.

STAY SOCIAL
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