As signs of the new season began to come forth this weekend with sunshine and a cool breeze, the Colonel baseball team began conference play against the McNeese State Cowboys. During the three day game series, the Colonels won two of the three matches against McNeese.Nicholls 7, McNeese 4
Under the lights of Didier Field on Friday night, the Colonels captured their first Southland Conference win of the season, defeating the Cowboys 7-4.
“All of the guys played really well,” head coach B.D. Parker said. “Everyone went out and really swung bats as a team.”
Nicholls began the match scoring three runs in the opening inning on RBI’s by Chuck Hickman, Luke Muller and Eron Morrow. Bryan James then led off the second inning hitting a solo home run, which was his third of the season.
In the third inning, Jake Ritchie slammed a two-RBI single to score Muller and Rondon Anderson.
“McNeese State has three really good pitchers,” Ritchie said. “They kept the game interesting and challenging for us.”
In the top of the seventh inning, the Cowboys attempted to catch up from the 7-2 score, putting two more runs on the board which were to be their final points for the night. In the eighth inning, Morrow put another point on the board to insure the Colonel victory after Monte Mitchell extended his hitting streak to seven, producing a single.
Ben Thompson picked up the win for the Colonels, going five innings, striking out five and walking four. David Bourg allowed four hits and two runs in his three innings on the mound while Justin Munson came on to close the ninth inning and record his third save of the season.
Nicholls 4, McNeese 3
With the sun shining brightly on Saturday afternoon and the humidity increasing, the Colonels kicked off the second game of the three-day series against McNeese. The Colonel team proved victorious over the Cowboys, defeating them 4-3.
“Eric Walker did an outstanding job pitching,” Parker said. “Once again, the team went out on the field hitting and getting the job done.”
The Cowboys went ahead in the third inning with Eric Emfinger, Tommy Eubanks and Derek Hebert scoring runs. The Colonels cut into the MSU advantage in their ensuing at-bat when Morrow grounded out to score Hickman and Anderson came home on a wild pitch.
Neither team had a runner advance past second base until the bottom of the ninth as NSU loaded the bases and set the stage for Bryan James.
After Anderson led off the inning with a walk, Muller doubled to advance Anderson to third. After MSU’s pitcher Jared Gothreaux entered the field, he issued an intentional walk to Morrow and got Mitchell to fly out to right, bringing up junior Aaron McRae to pinch hit for Ritchie. McRae reached on a fielders choice to score Anderson and tie the game. One batter later, James singled to score Muller and end the contest.
“The offense has had trouble hitting the ball this season, but we are getting better as every game goes by,” Ritchie said.
For the game, McNeese outhit the Colonels 10-6 while committing two errors. Hickman (21 games) and Muller (10 games) each extended their respective hitting streaks while Muller recorded a multi-hit game for the seventh time in a row. Junior Eric walker picked up the win for NSU, working 5 2/3 innings in relief of starter Mike Prejean. Walker struck out one and walked two, allowing just two hits and no earned runs.
McNeese 17, Nicholls 4
When the last game of the weekend ended, Anderson had slammed his 28th career home run during the match-up that left Nicholls defeated 17-4 by the Cowboys. Anderson is now tied atop the all-time charts with Bobby Dickerson for most home runs in a career.
McNese wasted no time scoring, putting nine runs on the board in the opening frame. The Cowboys added two more in the third and another in the fifth then adding on five in the ninth.
“The defense did a horrible job which resulted in a major loss for us,” Parker said.
The Colonels managed to score in the bottom of the first inning on Anderson’s home run. They then added two more in the fourth on RBI’s by Ritchie and Morrow. In the fifth inning, Hickman came in on a passed ball.
“Despite the loss, the overall leadership from the seniors has been excellent,” Parker said. “It’s tough for them to go out and play everyday, but they have been getting the job done. We still have to get some things clicking.”
Five Colonel pitchers made their way to the mound, with senior Phillip Aragon taking the loss. Munson remained on the hill the longest allowing two hits and two runs in three innings.
For the contest, the Colonels were outhit 15-9 while making seven errors. The Cowboys, who made one error, left six men on base as compared to the eight by Nicholls. Hickman and Anderson each put together muti-hit games with Hickman extending his hitting streak to 22 games. Muller also kept the momentum going, hitting in his 11th straight game.
The Colonels continue a two-game home series tonight against Howard University at 6:30 p.m. on Didier Field. They will then take on the University of Texas-San Antonio at home on Saturday at noon and on Sunday at1 p.m.
