After sweeping a three-game series against the University of Louisiana-Monroe last weekend, the No. 13 Southern Miss baseball team fell to Nicholls State University 8-5 on Tuesday night at Keesler Federal Park.
The Golden Eagles (18-7) saw their four-game winning streak come to an end, despite a two-home run performance by Matthew Russo, who finished with three hits and three RBIs. Russo now has seven home runs this season.
Nicholls State (11-15) took the lead in the seventh inning, beginning with a leadoff single by Jaden Collura. A fielding error by Southern Miss allowed an additional runner on base, followed by a bunt single from pinch hitter Narvin Booker, which scored a run. Another fielding error on a sacrifice bunt brought in a second run before a groundout added a third. AJ Cappell's RBI single capped the four-run frame for the Colonels.
Nicholls scored solo runs in the second and third innings, with Andrew Miller hitting his first home run in the second and driving in another run with a single in the third. Russo tied the game in the bottom of the third with a two-run homer.
The Colonels added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Aaron Biediger hit an RBI double in the fifth, and Karson Irvin drove in a run with a double in the sixth. Russo responded with a solo home run in the sixth, and Ozzie Pratt added a run on a fielder's choice, cutting the Nicholls lead to 8-4.
Southern Miss added a final run in the ninth inning on a solo home run by Drey Barrett, his third of the season.
Colonels reliever Harper Jordan earned the win, improving to 3-2 after allowing one run on one hit over 2 2/3 innings with two strikeouts. Cole Poirrier pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, giving up a run on three hits, with a walk and three strikeouts to record his first save.
Southern Miss starter Matt Adams took the loss, falling to 2-2 after giving up three runs on seven hits over four-plus innings, with three walks and four strikeouts.
The Golden Eagles will return home to face South Alabama in a Sun Belt Conference series starting Friday at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field at 6 p.m.
