THIBODAUX, La. – The Tigers of Texas Southern University claimed their first non-conference win of the season Sunday as they edged Nicholls State 3-2.
Michael Villanueva made his first start in a month and a half (and second start of his career) and shut down the Colonels' offense for six and two-thirds innings to get the win. Villanueva struck out four and limited NSU to four hits to improve his team-leading record to 5-1 for the season.
The Tigers upped their record to 9-19 with the win over Nicholls State, the team's first win over a Southland Conference opponent since defeating Incarnate Word 3-1 last season in San Antonio.
TSU gave Villanueva the offensive support he needed with a run in the third and two more in the sixth. Christian Sanchez opened the scoring with an RBI groundout that scored Gaudencio Lucca.
Three innings later, the Tigers stretched their lead to 3-0 when Olajide Oloruntimilehin knocked an RBI single that scored Sanchez, which was followed by Horace LeBlanc hitting a sacrifice fly that scored pinch-runner Andre Moore.
Lucca and Jose Camacho each knocked two base hits for the Tigers.
Nicholls State plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning that were both charged to relief pitcher Randall Ferguson. The Colonels' second run came home when Darius Boykins beaned Quade Smith with the bases loaded.
NSU was poised to score more runs, but the Tigers got out of the inning when Chet Niehaus grounded into a double play, starting with third baseman Gerrek Jimenez' throw to catcher Charles Guillory for the force out, and ending with Guillory's throw to Lucca at first base.
Boykins allowed just one baserunner in the ninth inning to pick up his first save of the season. Mike Hanchar pitched five innings and took the loss for Nicholls State (17-12).
The Tigers continue their stretch of games against Southland Conference schools this week when they travel to San Antonio to face Incarnate Word on Tuesday. The team will then be back in action Wednesday when they visit Houston Baptist.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics
Michael Villanueva made his first start in a month and a half (and second start of his career) and shut down the Colonels' offense for six and two-thirds innings to get the win. Villanueva struck out four and limited NSU to four hits to improve his team-leading record to 5-1 for the season.
The Tigers upped their record to 9-19 with the win over Nicholls State, the team's first win over a Southland Conference opponent since defeating Incarnate Word 3-1 last season in San Antonio.
TSU gave Villanueva the offensive support he needed with a run in the third and two more in the sixth. Christian Sanchez opened the scoring with an RBI groundout that scored Gaudencio Lucca.
Three innings later, the Tigers stretched their lead to 3-0 when Olajide Oloruntimilehin knocked an RBI single that scored Sanchez, which was followed by Horace LeBlanc hitting a sacrifice fly that scored pinch-runner Andre Moore.
Lucca and Jose Camacho each knocked two base hits for the Tigers.
Nicholls State plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning that were both charged to relief pitcher Randall Ferguson. The Colonels' second run came home when Darius Boykins beaned Quade Smith with the bases loaded.
NSU was poised to score more runs, but the Tigers got out of the inning when Chet Niehaus grounded into a double play, starting with third baseman Gerrek Jimenez' throw to catcher Charles Guillory for the force out, and ending with Guillory's throw to Lucca at first base.
Boykins allowed just one baserunner in the ninth inning to pick up his first save of the season. Mike Hanchar pitched five innings and took the loss for Nicholls State (17-12).
The Tigers continue their stretch of games against Southland Conference schools this week when they travel to San Antonio to face Incarnate Word on Tuesday. The team will then be back in action Wednesday when they visit Houston Baptist.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics