Aggressive at-bats was the story of the evening, as the Lions (32-18, 15-12) combined for four home runs, highlighted by a fourth inning where they Lions scored 11 to runs, sailing past the Nicholls State Colonels (23-24, 12-15) 15-4. The game would be the Lions’ lone win in the three games series, losing 7-3 on Friday and 11-1 on Saturday.
Sunday evening, the Lions were led by strong performances at the plate. Both Cass Hargis and Jonathan Pace went 4-for-4 and Cody Gougler went 3-for-4, as the switch hitter would hit two consecutive home runs from both the left and right sides of the plate. Junior shortstop Justin Boudreaux and senior outfielder Jeff Harkensee both added home runs.
“Today the guys got very aggressive. They started attacking fastballs for strikes, and that’s what we want. We want aggressive offense, and today we put some runs up because of it,” said Lions Head Coach Jay Artigues.
The Lions sent Josh Janway to the rubber for five innings before being relieved by Stefan Lopez. The Lions led 2-1 after Pace hit a double off of the right field wall and was later driven in on a single by Boudreaux in the first inning. Gougler hit the first of his two home runs in the third inning, giving the Lions their second run of the evening.
“Cody was outstanding. He did a great job attacking the ball and that was a big difference for us,” said Artigues.
Hargis would later increase his all time hits record to 291, driving in two runs with a double to begin the rally in fourth. The Colonels would make a change on the mound, bringing in Dolt Torres, only to see Gougler greet him with his second home run of the evening, driving in two runs.
The one out rally in the fourth would send 15 batters to the plate, totaling 11 hits and 10 runs, including four home runs for the Lions. The Colonels would comeback to add three runs in the sixth inning, but the Lions were able to send the Colonels home in seven innings.
“I don’t care how we win, one run or 15 runs like we did today. It’s just important to get the W,” said Artigues.
The Lions return to action Friday as they face Stephen F. Austin for their final home series, with games Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.