BEAUMONT, Texas - Doubling up Nicholls State University (16-13, 8-4 SLC) in hits once again and leading 5-1 through seven innings, one inning caught up to Lamar University (9-18, 2-10 SLC) on Sunday. The Colonels scored five runs on three hits, three walks, and two RBI grounders to steal a 6-5 decision over the Cardinals in the series finale.
Grason Wright threw one of the best games of his career Sunday. The redshirt sophomore from Warr Acres, Okla., went seven innings and allowed just three hits and one earned run while walking none and striking out six. He retired the final 13 batters he faced.
The Colonels were the first to score Sunday, striking in the top of the third inning. A one-out hit-by-pitch advanced to second on a one-out single and scored on a two-out single through the right side. Wright struck out the batter to end the threat with Nicholls leading 1-0. That strikeout was the first of 13 consecutive outs and his first of six strikeouts on the day.
A lead-off error that allowed
Logan Berlof to reach in the bottom of the fifth seemed to jump start Lamar's offense.
Cole Secrest singled through the left side to put Berlof on second and a single from
Jorge Gutierrez in the next at-bat scored Berlof (unearned) thanks to defensive interference and put Secrest in scoring position. A sac bunt from
Anthony Quirion put Secrest just 90 feet away but he was stranded there. After five innings the game was tied 1-1.
JC Correa wore one in the bottom of the sixth with one out and moved to second when
Robin Adames was walked. Correa reached third on an error by the Colonel catcher, but a fielder's choice bunt from Berlof struck down Correa at home. An RBI single from Secrest scored Adames (unearned) and gave LU a 2-1 advantage before a grounder to second ended the inning.
Lamar's final offensive outburst came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Quirion took one pitch before tattooing a ball straight into center field. The junior transfer from Clarendon College sent the ball sailing over 400 feet for his sixth homer of the year, taking over sole possession of the team lead in home runs.
Avery George singled up the middle in the next at-bat and reached second on a bunt single from
Cole Girouard, and a sac bunt from Coker put both Cardinals into scoring position. A wild pitch scored George and put Girouard on third, and an RBI single from Correa scored Girouard. Adames singled in the next at-bat and both he and Correa were stranded on a strikeout and a pop up. Lamar led 5-1 heading into the eighth inning.
The Colonels walked, singled, walked, singled, walked, hit into a fielder's choice, stole second, RBI grounded, and singled in the top of the eighth before
Jack Dallas struck out the final batter of the inning, scoring five runs in the process to take a 6-5 lead over Lamar. George tried to answer with a two-out single and a steal of second but was stranded there, and Nicholls maintained a 6-5 lead through eight innings.
Dallas got a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth with his second and third strikeouts of the day, giving Lamar one more chance to win the game. Coker led off with a single but a double play ended his day. A deep fly ball from Adames looked like it might have a chance, but Nicholls' center fielder jumped up and caught it at the wall to end the game.
Lamar returns to action on Tuesday with the University of Houston and closes out the five-game home stand on Wednesday with Houston Baptist in non-conference action. A road trip to Sam Houston State will follow that on April 5, 6, and 7 and the Cards will play a mid-week game at UTSA on April 9 before returning home for their final home games of April. A&M-Corpus Christi will come to town April 12-14 for another Southland series and then LU will close out the month with nine consecutive road games.
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