THIBODAUX, La. - The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team saw its four-game winning streak come to an end at Didier Field Saturday afternoon as Nicholls used a squeeze play to take the series finale, 3-2.
The Colonels (10-7-1, 3-3 SLC) were in control for much of the game. Nicholls got on the board in the opening inning as Justin Holt led the game off with a walk before stealing second. Kyle Reese drove in his only RBI of the game as he doubled to left field, scoring Holt.
The Colonels had no problem getting on base early, but they did struggle to capitalize on the opportunities. NIcholls left the bases loaded in the first two innings, only scoring one run. The Colonels would strike again in the fourth inning, adding a run to their total.
Both teams' bats went cold midway through the game all the way to the eighth inning.
Sophomore Lukas Hermanson led off the eighth with a single up the middle. Dawson Yates would reach base in the next at bat as he lined a ball sharply to the shortstop who mishandled the ball.
The Islanders (10-6, 2-1 SLC) looked to move both runners into scoring position but Jordan Lee's bunt attempt picked up and thrown to third to get the lead runner. Casey Thomas would battle back from an 0-2 count in the next at bat and send the ball out to right field to load the bases with one out.
Lefty Tyler Ware struck out swinging which brought to the plate senior Kyle Danford. Danford did what he has done all year as he drove in the game-tying runs on a single to center field. The Islanders attempted a double steal, but Thomas was thrown out at home to end the inning.
Gavin Wehby led off the ninth with an infield single to third base before advancing to second on a fielders choice. Wehby would advance to third on a wild pitch by Jacob Dorris. With the pressure on the Islanders and a base open, the team elected to walk the next batter to setup the double play. That's when the Colonels put on the squeeze play and Alex Shermer executed a perfect bunt down the third base line that score Wehby and serve as the game winner.
No Islanders pitcher saw more than three innings of work by plan. Senior Kevin Landgrebe went a team-high two and two-thirds innings, striking out three and allowing two hits. Dorris took the loss for the Islanders as Justin Sinibaldi picked up the win.
Danford finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI's as well as a pair of stolen bases. Hermanson finished 1-for-3 on the day
The team will wrap up its four-game road swing Monday as they take on McNeese St. in a nonconference affair at 6 p.m.
For updates throughout the season be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersBSB) and Facebook (Islanders Baseball). Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Islanders Front Row App at GoIslanders.com/frontrow.
