LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Nicholls State University baseball team was limited to three hits in its Southland Conference opener at McNeese, falling 5-1 to the Cowboys Friday night at Joe Miller Ballpark.

Nicholls (5-5, 0-1 SLC) scored its lone run in the third on a wild pitch before McNeese (7-1, 1-0 SLC) hit its second solo home run of the game, which proved to be enough offense in an opener dominated by pitching. 

The Colonels held McNeese to six hits while the Cowboy staff racked up 18 strikeouts -- the most for Nicholls this season. Alexis Gravel notched nine in 6.0 innings but walked six. Jake Blackwell picked up a three-inning save by striking out nine for all of his outs.

Chase Jans went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored the lone run. Jaden Collura had a pinch-hit single to lead off the ninth.

Michael Lindsey took the loss with three runs on four hits in 5.0 innings. He struck out three and walked five. Cole Simoneaux allowed two runs in 2.0 innings while Luke McGibboney finished off the game with two hitless frames with three strikeouts.

Simon Larranaga hit McNeese's first homer before Easton Dowell followed with his solo shot in the third. Dowell and Conner Westenburg each had two hits.

ON DECK
Nicholls will look to even up the series on Saturday with a 2 p.m. first pitch.