THIBODAUX, La. _ The Nicholls State Colonels got a complete-game shutout from left hander Alex Ernestine to down the University of Central Arkansas Bears 4-0 in Southland Conference play on Friday night at Ray E. Didier Field.

The Bears (32-22, 17-12) managed just four hits in the game, none for extra bases. The Colonels finished with 12 hits and scored single runs in the first, fourth, fifth and sixth inning. UCA committed two errors while the combination of Cody Davenport and Will Brand allowed just two earned runs.

The Colonels scored the only run they would need in the first inning with an RBI double by Chet Niehaus. A sacrifice fly in the fourth inning made it a 2-0 lead,  In the fifth inning, Lee Clark had an RBI single to right field and the Colonels got their final run on an error in the sixth.

UCA's Tyler Smith finished 2 for 4.  Davenport (5-4) allowed nine hits and struck out three. Brand tossed the final three innings, allowing one run and striking out three.

The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.