SHREVEPORT -- The Centenary Gents AND Nicholls State Colonels got five innings in before the rains came, which erased two runs off the board for the Colonels. It didn't matter, as Nicholls was credited with the five-inning 3-2 victory over the Gents.
The game was highlighted by two good pitching performances turned in by Centenary's Robbie Buhl and Nicholls' Ronald Gilchrist. Gilchrist (5-3) got the win, giving up one earned run and striking out three over his five innings of work. Buhl (1-3) gave up only three hits, but all three of his runs were earned. He also struck out five batters.
Colonel catcher Jon Boruch hurt Buhl in the top of the third, hitting a home run over the left field fence to give Nicholls a 1-0 lead.
The Gents came back to tie in the bottom of the inning thanks to freshman left-fielder Bobby Gilliam's aggressive base-running and errors by Colonel infielders. Gilliam singled to get on base, and then appeared to be caught stealing when the pitcher threw to first after he had taken off. Gilliam raced for second, and the first baseman threw the ball away, allowing Gilliam to take third. Third baseman Mark Duranski singled to the shortstop, who fired home to try to nab Gilliam at the plate. The throw was off, however, which allowed Gilliam to tie the game.
Nicholls responded with two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 3-1 lead, which Centenary cut into with a run in the bottom of the fifth.
The Colonels had plated two runs in the top of the sixth, one via a home run, before the game was washed out by rain and the half-inning erased.
The two teams will try to play the final game of the series tomorrow, weather permitting.
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