THIBODAUX, La. – Though Lamar University (15-30, 9-15 SLC) tried to rally twice and got five scoreless innings from its pitching staff, the Cardinals couldn't quite overcome early errors in a 5-2 loss Sunday in the series finale at Nicholls State University (19-26, 9-12 SLC).
 
Nicholls drew first blood for the first time in the series, scoring one run in the first inning on one hit and two errors. With one out a Colonel doubled down the right line, and he attempted to steal third as the next batter struck out. The throw to third traveled past Cole Coker as the runner reached the base, and the Cards couldn't recover in time to prevent the runner from reaching home on the error. A second Colonel reached first on the second error of the inning, but that proved harmless after a flyout ended the threat. Through one inning Nicholls led Lamar 1-0.
 
Cole Secrest got Lamar's first hit of the day in the top of the second inning but was stranded, and Jason Blanchard got his second and third strikeouts of the day in the bottom of the inning to keep Nicholls off the board, keeping the score 1-0 in favor of Nicholls through two.
 
Lamar briefly tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third on two hits and a Colonel error. Chad McKinney doubled off the left-field wall with one out and reached third on a grounder from Philip Ingram. Cole Girouard used a well-placed bunt for his first hit of the day, scoring McKinney, and reached second when the throw to first bounced off his batting helmet and out of play. He was stranded on second after a flyout. Heading into the bottom of the third the game was tied at 1-1.
 
Nicholls responded in the bottom of the third with two runs on four hits and a walk before Blanchard ended the inning with his fourth strikeout of the day. After three innings Nicholls led 3-1.
 
A lead-off hit by Coker followed by a single from Logan LeJeune seemed to be the start of another Cardinal rally, but Secrest hit a liner that the Nicholls second baseman just barely caught as it traveled over his head and back-to-back fielder's choices stranded Coker. Nicholls put two more across in the bottom of the fourth on three hits, taking a 5-1 lead through four innings.
 
After allowing an inherited runner and a run of his own to score in the fourth, Ryan Erickson locked down Nicholls for the final four innings he pitched. He struck out four while allowing just three more hits and two walks. His most notable strikeout came in the final out of the sixth inning. The Colonel batter struck out swinging and swung so hard that he let go of his bat.
 
Lamar scored one more run in the top of the seventh on a two-out rally. Avery George single past the Colonel shortstop and reached second on a single from McKinney. A single from Ingram pushed both George and McKinney ahead by two bases, scoring George. A 4-3 grounder ended the inning with Nicholls leading 5-2, the final margin.
 
Lamar returns to action on Wednesday at Rice, then will play a three-game non-conference series at TCU May 4-6. The Cards will return to Southland Conference action May 11-13 at Stephen F. Austin and finish off the regular season with a three-game homestand against conference foe McNeese. The Cowboys will come to town May 17-19.
 
CARDINAL TALKING POINTS

• Lamar has had to count on freshmen in big moments this year. The Cardinals have started first-year college players 117 times this season compared to just 37 by their opponents. On the mound Big Red has started freshmen four times while facing eight opposing rookie starters.
   
• There's still plenty of time for Lamar to fight its way into the postseason. The Cards trail eighth-place Nicholls by two and a half games but have six opportunities to make up that ground. The Colonels play at SFA this weekend and will end the year at New Orleans. The Privateers are also trying to make up ground on Nicholls; they trail the Colonels by a half-game.
   
• Cole Girouard had a pretty good week at the plate. He hit .522 with 12 hits including two doubles. He scored six runs and had six RBIs, walking once and striking out just twice. Robin Adames also hit .500 (9-of-18) that included a 5-of-6 performance in Lamar's 16-9 win against Nicholls on Friday. The junior from The Bronx, N.Y. had five RBIs and two runs scored.
   
• Four Cards hit over .300 on the week including Girouard, Adames, Philip Ingram, and Chad McKinney. McKinney had one of the best weeks of his career with six hits, including two doubles and a triple, four RBIs, and six runs scored. He's now one of just two active Cardinals with a triple in their career (Cole Coker is the other).