THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team defeated Lamar University 3-0 to clinch the series on Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field on Sunday afternoon.
 
Reigning Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week Nico Saltaformaggio (6-4) struck out five batters and allowed four hits in six innings of relief to earn his second win of the series. Starting pitcher Michael Quevedo allowed one hit and fanned three batters before being ejected following the third inning.
 
The Colonels offense set the tone early as Gerardo Villarreal scored on a Basiel Williams base knock to left field to put the Red & Gray up 1-0 in the first inning.
 
The Colonels scored their final two runs by taking advatage of throwing errors by the Cardinals.  In the second inning, MaCrae Kendrick scored on a throwing error while Lamar tried to execute a double play. After three scoreless frames, Narvin Booker Jr., who reached on an error, eventually scored on a Parker Coddou sacrifice fly.
 
Overall, Nicholls tallied nine hits with Williams, Kendrick, and Edgar Alvarez having two apiece. Booker Jr., Kaden Amundson, and Garrett Felix finished with one each.
 
For Lamar, starting pitcher Hunter Hesseltine suffered his second loss of the season after allowing nine hits and three runs in 5.1 innings of work.
 
The Colonels hold the tie breaker will Lamar and will enter the final week of play one game behind the Cardinals in the SLC standings.

ON DECK
The Red & Gray (32-19, 14-7 SLC) will conclude regular season action with a three game home series against McNeese on May 16-18.