THIBODAUX, La. _ The Nicholls State Colonels scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday to down the University of Central Arkansas Bears 5-4 in Southland Conference action at Ray E. Didier Field.

The Colonels (24-30, 12-16) had the bases loaded after tying the game at 4-4. UCA tried to turn a deflected ground ball into a double play but the second runner was called safe at first, allowing the winning run to score for Nicholls.

UCA (32-21, 17-11) out-hit Nicholls 12-6 but did not score after the third inning. The Bears got to Nicholls' starter Cayden Hatcher early, scoring three times in the top of the second inning with five hits. Tyler Smith started it with a base hit and Colby LeBlanc followed with a double to right field. William Hancock brought in the first run with an RBI single and Josh Somdecerff followed with a sacrifice fly to score LeBlanc. After another base hit by T.J.Black, Keaton Presley added the Bears' second sacrifice fly of the inning to scored Hancock with the third run.

Nicholls got one run in the bottom of the second but UCA answered with a single run in the third off a Tyler Smith double down the right-field line and a Colby LeBlanc RBI single to right center, good for a 4-1 lead. The Colonels, fighting fot an SLC Tournament berth, pulled within two runs with a score in the fourth and it stay ed that way until the ninth.

The Bears brought in sophomore right hander Conner Williams to start the ninth and he allowed back-to-back singles, then a double down the right-field line by Kyle Knauth that tied the game at 4-4. He hit the next batter before being replaced by Tanner Wiley, who got the first out with a fly ball to right. Dillon Belle walked to load the bases before Gage Teer hit a ground ball to short. T.J. Black's relay throw to first was not in time to get Teer, allowing Knauth to score the winning run.

UCA senior starter Tyler Gray went 7 innings, allowing just 3 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 7 and walking 1. Senior Will Brand pitched a perfect eighth with one strikeout. Williams (2-1) took the loss, allowing all three runs in the ninth.

Tyler Smith finished 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored, while Presley, LeBlanc and Hancock had two hits each.

Game 2 of the series is set for 6 p.m. Friday night, with the series finale at 1 p.m. Saturday.