Reynauld Songy
May 7, 2007Steve Collins
May 9, 2007From NSU Sports Information
Senior right-hander Michael Bartek tossed a two-hit complete game shutout Sunday afternoon, to lead the Colonels to a 5-0 victory over Texas-Arlington and help Nicholls complete the three-game sweep over the Mavericks.
The three-game sweep marks the first since February 26-27, 2005, when the Colonels swept a three-game set from Southern, in Baton Rouge. The last time Nicholls swept a Southland Conference series was on May 18-19, 2002, when the Colonels traveled to Hammond and swept the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana.
In addition to allowing just two hits, Bartek (2-9) also tied a season high with six strikeouts. It was the first complete-game shutout by a Nicholls pitcher since David Bourg shutout LSU-Shreveport in a seven-inning game, back on March 4, 2003. Mavericks starter Eamonn Donovan (0-3) suffered the loss, giving up five runs, two earned, on seven hits, while striking out six.
Anthony Marino led Nicholls at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. David Newby and Ben Burum each picked up a single for UTA.
The Colonels jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, Shane Barksdale, Brett Hoeflich and Marino strung together three consecutive singles for the first run of the inning. After A.J. DeLaneuville reached first base on an error by the first baseman, Devin Steib was issued a bases loaded walk, scoring Hoeflich and giving Nicholls the two-run advantage.
Nicholls added a run in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Marino lined a two-out single into right field. A Donovan wild pitch allowed Marino to scamper all the way to third. DeLaneuville then singled down the left field line to score Marino, making the score 3-0.
The Colonels extended their lead to 5-0 with two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Zac Bone led off the inning with a walk. Anthony Wray then hit a soft grounder back to Donovan, however, his attempt to force Bone at second sailed into the left center field gap, allowing Bone to come around and score, and send Wray all the way to third base. One out later, Barksdale sent a fly ball deep to left field to sacrifice Wray home for the second run of the inning.
The Colonels won Saturday’s doubleheader, 3-2 and 8-7. The Colonels came from behind to win both games, including a five-run ninth inning to set up the 8-7 win.
Nicholls will break for final exams, before returning to action next weekend when they host Texas-San Antonio for their final conference home series. The three-game set will begin on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and continue at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The series will conclude at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Bourgeois captures 2007 SLC Javelin Title; will participate in NCAA Regionals
Sophomore javelin thrower Leslie Bourgeois took home the Southland Conference Javelin title on Saturday evening, as the Colonels are participating in the 2007 Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held on the campus of Stephen F. Austin.
Bourgeois, who became the first Nicholls track and field athlete to garner an individual conference title, tossed a season-best 154-01, to outlast defending SLC Champion Dawn Comeaux of Northwestern State, who threw for 150-03.
Chelsea Dockrey was the only other Colonel to participate this evening, as she finished in sixth place with a high jump of 5.05.
Although the Colonels’ season comes to an end, Bourgeois will continue hers, as she will participate in the NCAA Mideast Regionals on May 25-26 in Columbia, Mo.
Lady Colonels’ series cancelled, clinch spot in SLC Tourney
The condition of left field in Allan Saxe Field did not improve from the state it was in on Saturday and the scheduled doubleheader on Sunday was canceled.† In the process, the Colonels gained a birth into the Southland Conference Tournament.
†The Colonels (26-26, 15-11) will be the No. 6 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament and play No. 1 seeded Texas-Arlington on Thursday, May 10, for 11 a.m. in Huntsville, Texas.† Sam Houston State, who is the No. 2 seed in this year’s tournament, is hosting the conference’s post-season festivities.
†The game will be broadcasted live on 105.9 KBZE locally and on the Internet at www.kbze.com.
