BATON ROUGE, La. -- Clashing with one of the nation's top contenders within the confines of a hostile road venue, the Nicholls State University baseball program (2-3, 0-0 SLC) failed to avoid an early-season shutout at in-state powerhouse No. 11 LSU (6-1, 0-0 SEC), suffering a decisive 14-0 decision to the Tigers in the Red & Gray's away opener Saturday evening at Alex Box Stadium.

After retiring the first four Colonel bats in the opening frame, the LSU offense required little incentive to kick off the scoring in earnest, posting a home run on just the second Nicholls pitch for a quick 1-0 advantage. During the ensuring seven frames, the Tigers would manage at least one run in every inning save one -- the third -- while digging deep into the Red & Gray pitching staff, eventually sealing a 14-0 victory.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- With the loss, the Colonels fall back below .500 to a 2-3 record while LSU improves to a 6-1 mark on the year.
-- Despite battling to a upset victory in last season's midweek opener against then-No. 11 LSU, sophomore Tyler Theriot was unable to replicate his results from just over a year ago, suffering his first loss of the 2021 campaign following 3.1 frames of work with six runs allowed on six hits. Both freshman Nico Saltaformaggio and senior Colin Kramer were required to close out the fourth, setting the stage for junior Cade Evans along with seniors Trever Kilcrease, Peter Holland and Beau Balado to wrap up an inning apiece, surrendering a combined eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts as a group.
-- Offensively, the Red & Gray struggled against LSU ace Landon Marceaux, picking up just two hits -- an Alec Paz single along with a Wes Toups double -- on the night.
 
UP NEXT
With the unusual weekend currently split at 1-1, the Colonels aim to close out the three-game stretch on a high note, rematching Youngstown State back home at Didier Field on Sunday, Feb. 28, first pitch set for noon.

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