Box score


THIBODAUX, La.  – Nicholls State used a season-high 15 hits and a five-run fifth inning to defeat University of South Alabama baseball 11-3 Tuesday at Ray E. Didier Field.

Nicholls State (20-20) scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the first on an RBI singles by Michael LeGrange, Blake Bergeron and Austin Flores to take a 3-0 lead.

The Colonels led off the bottom of the second inning with a single and walk, and moved both runners into scoring position following a Jaguar passed ball. USA right-hander Jarrett Bailey then entered in relief of Traylor, and recorded three consecutive outs to escape the jam without allowing a Colonel run.

South Alabama (16-25) answered with three runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game 3-3. Dustin Dalken led off the inning with a double to left-center field, and Hunt Griffith followed with a walk. Following a Colonel wild pitch, Nolan Earley singled to center field to score Dalken and cut the NSU lead to 3-1. Brent Mitchell followed with an RBI single through the left side of the infield to score Griffith and cut the NSU lead to 3-2. The Jags tied the game one batter later on an RBI groundout off the bat of Patterson.

Nicholls State answered to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom-half of the fifth on a sacrifice fly by LeGrange. The Colonels loaded the bases later in the inning after consecutive two-out walks, and added four additional runs on a wild pitch, hit by pitch, RBI single by Phillip Lyons and a balk for an 8-3 lead.

NSU loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh on a Jag error and consecutive singles. Lyons and Mike Barba followed with RBI singles each to increase the NSU lead to 10-3. The Colonels scored the game’s final run on a Jaguar double play.

Kory Delange (3-0) earned the win in five innings pitched, allowing three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Bailey (1-1) suffered the loss in 3 2/3 innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits with four strikeouts and a pair of walks.

Only five of Nicholls State’s 11 runs in the game were earned.

LeGrange went 3-for-3 with a double, triple, two RBI and a run scored to lead the Colonels at the plate. Mitchell and Earley had one hit and an RBI apiece to lead South Alabama.

USA will return to action this weekend when it hosts Florida International in a three-game Sun Belt Conference series at Stanky Field, with game one scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch Friday evening.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).