Thibodaux, La. - Senior shortstop Braeden Riley went 2-for-4 to move into a first place tie as Sam Houston's all-time leading hitter but Nicholls shut out the Bearkats 7-0 for a Southland Conference baseball win Thursday night.
Nicholls (19-19) totaled 11 hits while Colonel pitcher Seth Webster allowed the Kats only six hits in nine innings. Webster struck out four batters.
Colonel shortstop Chase Jaramillo hit a three-run double to right fielder to spark a six-run second inning and later posted an RBI single as Nicholls scored twice in the sixth inning.
Riley upped his career hitting total to 271, tying him with Terry Pirtle who set the original record playing for Sam Houston from 1984 to 1987.
Second baseman Ryan Mooney moved one hit closer to another milestone, upping his career total hits to 199. Mooney will become the 10th Sam Houston batter to total 200 or with his next hit.
Also picking up hits for Sam Houston (26-14, 11-8) were designated hitter Chris Andreas, first baseman Daniel Nottebart and third baseman Kevin Miller.
Brandon Kimbrel was the losing pitcher, giving up all 11 hits in six innings.
Sam Houston and Nicholls meet in the second contest of the three-game Southland Conference series Friday at 6 p.m. The final game Saturday will begin at 1 p.m.
