NATCHITOCHES, La. - Edgar Alvarez hit a pair of 2-run homers,
Xane Washington continued his hitting streak with a four-hit effort and freshman
Jacob Mayers turned in another strong outing on the mound as the Nicholls State University baseball team defeated Northwestern State, 9-5, on Sunday afternoon at Brown-Stroud Field.
Although Nicholls (24-18, 9-6 SLC) dropped the series to the Demons, the win on Sunday allowed the Colonels to move into second place -- tying with Northwestern State (23-18, 9-6 SLC). Nicholls has three league series remaining, including the next two weekends at home.
After struggling to produce runs in the first two games with a total of 23 runners left on base, the Colonel bats came through in the clutch with a combined eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Nicholls struck first with a
Garrett Felix RBI double in the second but the Demons answered with a pair of solo home runs in the next two frames.
Parker Coddou tied the game in the fifth with a sacrifice fly before Washington drove in the go-ahead run on a double. Washington singled earlier in the day to extend his hitting streak to 18 games and finished 4-for-5 at the plate.
Still in the fifth, Alvarez followed with the first of his two home runs, making the score 5-2.
MaCrae Kendrick wrapped up the inning with an RBI single.
Wes Toups and Washington both doubled in the sixth for a 7-2 advantage, then Alvarez smashed his sixth homer of the season over the right center wall.
NSU rallied for a pair of runs in the ninth before Coddou started a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.
Mayers improved to 6-1 in his rookie season, striking out eight batters in 6.0 innings. The only two hits he allowed were the solo home runs and he was able to work around five walks. He entered the game ranked in the Top 10 of the NCAA in both strikeouts per nine innings and hits allowed per nine.
Nicholls more than doubled Northwestern State in hits at 13-6. Along with Washington and Alvarez,
Austin Cain and Toups had multi-hit efforts. Eight of the Colonels' hits were for extra bases with
Kaden Amundson adding a double.
Nico Saltaformaggio tossed 2.0 innings out of the bullpen, allowing one run while striking out two.
Cade Evans pitched the ninth, striking out one while surrendering two runs on three hits.
Drayton Brown suffered the loss, giving up seven runs on 10 hits in 5.0 innings. Gabe Colaianni led the Demon offense with two hits and two RBIs.
ON DECK
Nicholls will host Southeastern for a three-game series this weekend. Friday's opener (May 5) is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
