HAMMOND, La. – Nicholls responded to Southeastern Louisiana's three-run sixth with a five-spot of its own in the seventh, barreling past the Lions for a 6-3 win in the series opener at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Southeastern (25-17, 12-7 Southland) broke up Alex Ernestine's no-hitter in the sixth.
 
Down 1-0, Cody Grosse laced a one-out single to left-center field. The junior from Plainfield, Illinois, advanced to third on Nathan Pilutti's double down the right-field line.
 
Drew Avans put the Lions on top of Nicholls (16-23, 7-9 Southland) with a triple into the right-center field gap. Avans scored on Taylor Schwaner's single to left-center.
 
The Colonels responded immediately.
 
Left fielder Lee Clark led off the seventh with a double to right. He advanced to third on an infield single by Xane Washington. Third baseman Brady Bell pulled Nicholls within a run on a single up the middle. After a sac bunt advanced Washington and Bell into scoring position, the Lions went to the bullpen for Jared Biddy.
 
Nathan Tribble greeted Biddy with a pop up to shallow left field, but Drew Avans was unable to make the catch after calling off shortstop Brennan Breaud. A two-run double and RBI single put the Colonels up by three.
 
Ernestine (3-3) earned the win, allowing three runs in 6.1 innings. He scattered four hits and three walks, striking out four. Christian Bahlinger worked the final 2.2 innings without allowing a run, picking up his fourth save of the season.
 
Josh Green (5-3) suffered the loss, allowing four runs in 6.1 innings. He allowed eight hits and one walk, striking out six. Jared Biddy worked the final 2.2 innings, allowing a pair of runs – one earned – on three hits. The junior right-hander struck out three.
 
With rain in the forecast Sunday, the teams have agreed to play a doubleheader Saturday in Hammond. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. There will be no admission charged for the opening game of the day.
 
All venue policies will be enforced throughout the doubleheader and season ticket holders will be required to present their ticket for access to box seats for both games.
 
The stadium will be cleared between games and a ticket to the regularly scheduled 6 p.m. game is needed for admittance to the nightcap. 
 
The ticket booth and gates will open one hour before the first pitch.
 
Both games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, and worldwide online or through either the Radio FX or TuneIn apps. Fans can also keep up with all the action through live statistics, streaming video or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter. Links to audio, video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
The Lions will send redshirt junior right-hander Carlisle Koestler (6-1, 2.19) to the mound opposite Nicholls senior righty Cayden Hatcher (2-4, 4.69) in the first game. Southeastern will counter Colonel junior right-hander Jake Bedevian (1-5, 4.94) in the nightcap with junior right-hander Corey Gaconi (2-1, 5.40).
 
TICKETS
Single game tickets for Lion home games can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the athletics ticket office at (985) 549-5466. 
 
General Admission tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12). Tax is included in the price of admission. Southeastern students are admitted free when presenting a valid university ID card.

Students, campus organizations and fans can earn points toward their Lion Up Loyalty account at any home game by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.
 
ALUMNI REUNION
The annual reunion of Southeastern Louisiana baseball alumni is scheduled for Saturday and will be held in conjunction with Super Lion Saturday, a celebration of all things Southeastern Athletics.
 
A tailgate party on the first floor of the Strawberry Stadium parking garage is slated for 4 p.m. Food, drinks and an opportunity to sign up for the new S Club will be available at the reunion. Baseball alumni in attendance will be recognized in conjunction with the Southeastern-Colonels matchup.
 
DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. S Club members also gain membership in the Diamond Club.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @Lions_Baseball on Twitter, @SLU_LionsBaseball on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.