THIBODAUX, La - The Huskies drop game one of the three-game Southland Conference series at Nicholls, 16-7, after the Colonels posted an eight-run, sixth inning, at Ray E. Didier Field.

HCU (8-25, 5-5 SLC) were led by freshman centerfielder Trent Baker who went 2-for-3 with three runs, a walk, and a stolen base. Junior designated hitter Samuel Benjamin went 2-for-2 with a triple, two RBIs, and two walks while senior shortstop Austin Roccaforte went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Freshman catcher Dylan LaRue extends his hitting streak to 11 games going 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run.

Junior righthander Jarek Wells (0-3) took the loss, pitching .1 innings of relief allowing two earned runs on two hits. Freshman righthander Baylor Baumann started the game for the Huskies, pitching two innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout. Junior righthander Zach Ryan and junior lefthander Tim Ewald each pitched a shutout inning of relief with one strikeout.

Nicholls (20-16, 6-4 SLC) were led by Edgar Alvarez who went 3-for-4 with a double, three runs, and an RBI. Austin Cain went 2-for-5 with a double, three RBIs, and a run while MaCrae Kendrick went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs, an RBI, and two walks. Parker Coddou went 1-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs, two runs, and a walk.

Gavin Galy (1-0) earned the win, pitching 4.2 shutout innings of relief giving up one hit with five strikeouts. Chase Gearing started the game for the Colonels pitching 1.1 innings allowing five earned runs on three hits with two walks.

The Huskies got on the board early scoring three runs in the top of the first inning starting with Trent Baker scoring on a groundout before Tyler LaRue scored on a fielder's choice. Austin Roccaforte doubled to left field driving in Dylan LaRue to round out the top of the first inning. After giving up four runs in the bottom of the first inning, HCU retook the lead, 5-4, in the top of the second inning when Samuel Benjamin singled to right center scoring Cash Benavidez and Baker. The Huskies scored their last two runs taking a, 7-5, lead in the top of fifth inning on back-to-back sac flies by Reed Chumley and Roccaforte scoring Baker and Tyler LaRue.

The Colonels took a, 4-3, lead in the bottom of the first inning starting with an Edgar Alvarez single to right field scoring Parker Coddou before Gerardo Villareal doubled to right field scoring Xane Washinton.   Austin Cain hit a sac fly to center field driving in Alvarez before MaCrae Kendrick doubled to right field scoring Villareal to round out the inning. Nicholls tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when Alvarez scored on a balk. The Colonels retook the lead, 6-5, in the bottom of the fourth inning when Alvarez scored on a fielding error by HCU's Damian Ruiz. Nicholls posted eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning starting with Cain doubling down the left field line scoring Brayden Kuriger before Cain scored on an RBI-walk by Jaden Collura. Wes Toups singled to center field scoring Kendrick and Felix before Coddou homered to right field scoring Toups and Collura. Washington scored the last run of the sixth inning when Kuriger singled through the right side. The Colonels tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning when Collura singled to left center scoring Kendrick and Felix.

The three-game Southland Conference series against Nicholls will continue on Saturday, April 22^nd at 6:30 p.m. at Ray E. Didier Field. Graduate student righthander Walker Zander (1-3) is probable to start for the Huskies while lefthander Michael Quevedo (2-0) is probable to start for the Colonels.

Live stats will be available at HCUHuskies.net or watch the broadcast on ESPN+!