KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Nicholls State University baseball team began the 2026 season with a 10-0 loss to the University of Tennessee at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Friday night.
 
Nicholls fell behind early as Tennessee took the first took a 1-0 lead on a double in the opening inning. Starting pitcher Nuno Parache pieced together a scoreless second inning that featured one of his four strikeouts.
 
Nine-hole hitter Karson Irvin helped the Colonels lineup avoid being retired in order the first time around as he laced a two out single down the left field line in the third inning. In the next frame, Nico Rijo-Berger hit his own two out single to tally the Colonels other hit.
 
The Volunteers were able to capitalize on multiple errors by the Colonels and score four runs across the third and fourth innings. After generating five hits including a two-run homer to center field, Tennessee led 5-0 heading into the fifth inning.
 
After a pitching change, the Volunteers extended their lead to six on a ground out. Dalton Hill replaced Peyton Lacy on the mound and pitched a scoreless sixth frame that ended via a strikeout. The Volunteers scored two runs in each of the final two frames to end the game.
 
Clayton Pourciau was the only other Colonel to reach base as he earned a four-pitch free pass in the fifth. For the pitching staff, Parache (0-1) finished the game with four strikeouts as he allowed seven hits and four earned runs. Lacy and Hill went one full inning apiece while Cole Poirrier (0.1), Kaul Perkins (0.2), and Karson Trichel rounded out the work on the mound.
 
UP NEXT
Due to anticipated weather on Sunday, Nicholls will complete the three-game series in against the Volunteers in a double header on Saturday, Feb. 14. First pitch from Lindsey Nelson Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.