HAMMOND, La. -- In a rivalry clash already overflowing with close calls, the Nicholls State University baseball program (19-27, 14-17 SLC) fell on the wrong side of a few too many throughout a hard-fought doubleheader against Southeastern Louisiana (28-16, 20-11 SLC) on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field, initially dropping a 7-6 decision -- ended with the tying run called out at the plate -- before faltering by a 5-4 mark -- finished with the tying run at third -- en route to a 2-1 deficit for the series thus far.

Still hot following Friday evening's 10th-inning offensive eruption, the Red & Gray bats found their mark early and often during the twin bill opener, knocking home four runs through the first two frames; the Lions, however, found a rhythm at the plate as well, plating six of their own during the same span to carve out a two-run edge. The Colonels battled back with solo runs in the fourth and sixth innings, but a single run for the Lions in the fifth -- combined with a play at the plate to wrap up the seventh -- eventually clinched the win for Southeastern Louisiana.

The latter half of the doubleheader played out with a similar pattern, as Nicholls initially jumped out to a one-run edge through two innings before SLU rallied back across the fourth and fifth, outscoring the Red & Gray by a 5-1 margin en route to a three-score advantage. Undeterred, the Colonels mounted a comeback attempt during the ninth, plating two via a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch before Lion relief efforts wrapped up the victory.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- With the pair of losses, the Colonels fall to 19-26 overall for the season along with a 14-17 mark in Southland competition; meanwhile, Southeastern Louisiana improves to 28-16 on the year with a 20-11 record in league play.
-- On the mound, starter Trever Kilcrease (2-7) struggled throughout his 1.2 innings of work during game one, surrendering six runs on four hits while collecting just one strikeout. Sophomore Tyler Theriot along with freshman Nico Saltaformaggio handled the remaining 4.1 frames in relief, as the former gave up just one run on three hits while setting down a pair on strikes before the latter dropped zeros across the board.
-- Game two starter Devin Desandro posted a solid performance across 4.2 innings on the rubber, initially shutting down the Lions before getting into some trouble later in his outing, allowing five runs on four hits while striking out three batters for the day. Saltaformaggio, junior Cade Evans and sophomore Josh Mancuso shared the bullpen burden, combining for 4.1 frames with just three hits given up for no runs.
-- Junior Dane Simon compiled a memorable day as the Red & Gray leadoff batter, opening up game one with a first-pitch solo homer -- only the fifth of his career and first this season -- before collecting two more hits, another RBI and one more run scored to wrap up the twin bill. Additionally, senior Dillon Belle continued his exceptionally productive series against the Lions, tallying three total hits along with an RBI, while freshman Caleb Hill posted a strong showing as well, notching two hits for a pair of key RBIs.
 
ON DECK
With the four-game rivalry clash coming to a close, the Colonels aim to pick up a crucial victory over Southeastern Louisiana in the Sunday afternoon series finale, first pitch slated for 2 p.m. at Ray E. Didier Field,

STAY SOCIAL
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