THIBODEAUX, Louisiana – The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (11-28, 3-18 SLC) lost the rubber game of their three-game set against the Nicholls Colonels (15-25, 8-16 SLC) this afternoon, 7-6 in 13 innings.
The Lumberjacks started hot once again, scoring four runs in the first inning. Cooper Schneider led off the game with a walk and was followed by a single up the middle by Cermodrick Bland. After Schneider stole third, Josh Ibe would hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Schneider. Four more singles by Mark Henning, Julian Swift, Kevin Duran, and Dalton Mullins scored three more runs for the ‘Jacks as they held a 4-0 lead after a half inning.
In the top of the second, the Colonels responded, scoring three runs of their own to cut the Lumberjacks lead to 4-3. The score held until the bottom of the fifth, when Nicholls took their first lead of the game, scoring two more runs to go ahead 5-4.
The sixth went by without any offense, but the Lumberjacks wouldn’t go down without a fight. In the top of the seventh, Cermodrick Bland led off the inning with a walk and then stole second and third. A couple of batters later, Julian Swift would come through with an RBI single, tying the game at 5.
The next two innings went by without any team scoring, as Jonathan Valdez continued his strong season with 2.1 innings of scoreless ball. The game headed into extras. In the tenth, the score remained the same, but the ‘Jacks struck in the 11th, as Owen Hooper would get hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give SFA a 6-5 lead. Unfortunately, the Colonels would not go away, scoring one themselves to extend the ball game.
The two teams were held scoreless in the 12th, but Nicholls hit an RBI double in the 13th to win the game and the series.
Reid Boyett (1-1) lost his first game of the year, while Nick Fields (2-1) was the winning pitcher.
Top performers for the ‘Jacks
Cermodrick Bland – 2 for 4, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 SB
Julian Swift – 4 for 6, 3 RBI, R, BB
Jonathan Valdez – 2.1 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 SO
Elian Balmaceda – 3.2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 SO
On Deck
The Lumberjacks will head to Mississippi to play Alcorn State on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
Ticket Information
Join SFA Baseball at Pilgrim’s Park this season! Single-game tickets are on sale now. Fans can visit SFAtickets.com for more information.
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By: Eli Standley, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications