HOUSTON – Nicholls rallied for four runs in the top of the fifth en route to a 5-3 victory over HBU to even the Southland Conference series at a game apiece Saturday afternoon at Husky Field.
Senior first baseman
Andrew Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a double and scored, while senior shortstop
Louie Payetta went 2-for-5. Junior rightfielder
Brandon Brintz drove in a pair of runs, and junior catcher
Blake Thomas doubled and drove in a run for the Huskies (21-24, 10-13 SLC).
Junior lefthander
Christian Thames (2-6) took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 5.2 innings. Junior righthander
Julian Griego held the Colonels hitless over the final 3.1 innings.
Alex Shermer doubled and drove in a run, while Kyle Knauth had two RBIs for Nicholls (21-26, 11-12). Alex Tucker added an RBI single for the Colonels.
Cole Stapler (4-5) earned the win, allowing three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks in seven innings. Robbie Petty picked up his first save of the season, holding the Huskies scoreless on one hit with five strikeouts over the final two innings.
The Huskies struck quickly with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Senior second baseman
Greg Espinosa and Alvarez each single, then came home on a two-out, two-run single by Brintz. HBU extended its lead to 3-0 in the fourth as senior third baseman
Justin Monsour singled and came home on Thomas's RBI double.
Nicholls answered in the top of the fifth Ethan Valdez led off with a single and Tucker was hit by a pitch. Brandon Harigel reached on a fielder's choice after a force out at second, but Valdez scored on a throwing error. Holt drew a walk, then Knauth delivered a two-run single up the middle to tie the game. The Colonels took the lead on Shermer's double to cap the inning.
Gavin Wehby walked to lead off the sixth and came around to score on a single by Tucker for the game's final tally.
The series concludes with the rubber match Sunday at 2 p.m. The HBUTV and Legacy Sports Network broadcasts with
Russ Reneau begin at 1:45 with the pregame show and can be accessed on HBUHuskies.com.
