Early lead doesn’t hold up for Nicholls in 5-4 loss Tuesday night against Houston Cougars

An excellent road team all year, the Nicholls baseball team was only one out away from forcing extra innings in the Colonels’ game Tuesday night at the University of Houston.

The score was tied 4-4 entering the bottom of the ninth.

Nicholls pitcher Chase Richter got two quick outs before Anthony Tulimero produced a double to right center field. Harold Coll and pinch hitter Jonathan French walked to load the bases.

Arturo Rodriguez entered the game in place of Richter. Cary Arbolida hit a fly ball to shallow center field. Nicholls center fielder Basil Williams raced to try and make the catch, but the ball popped out of his glove, allowing Tulimero to score the game-winning run in a 5-4 triumph for the Cougars.

Nicholls (30-18) struck first, coming up with two runs in the top of the first inning.

A walk by Parker Coddou and a single by Edgar Alvarez put runners on the corners to open the game. A sacrifice fly by Gerardo Villarreal allowed Coddou to score the first run of the game.

A double down the left field line by Garrett Felix put a pair of runners in scoring position. A single to third base by Williams allowed Alvarez to score for a 2-0 Nicholls lead.

Nicholls added to its lead with a run in the third inning on a leadoff home run by Alvarez.

After Houston (24-24) cut the deficit to 3-1 in the fifth inning, the Cougars pulled ahead with three runs in the sixth inning.

Tulimero and Coll each were hit by pitches to open the inning by Dallis Moran, who had entered the game to open the fifth inning in relief of starter Sam Hill.

Reese followed with a home run to center field to give the Cougars their first lead of the game at 4-3.

Nicholls tied the game in the top of the ninth inning on a leadoff home run to left field by MaCrae Kendrick.

After two outs, Alvarez and Villarreal each singled to put two runners on base, but Felix flied out to center field to end the inning, setting the scene for the bottom of the ninth inning.

Richter (1-1) took the loss. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks, while striking out one in 2 1/3 innings.

Kyle LaCalamento (3-3), the last of six Cougar pitchers, got the win. He allowed one run on three hits, with one strikeout in one inning of work.