CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Interstat) — Nicholls State erupted for six runs in the third inning and its pitchers combined for a five-hitter in an 11-7 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in a Southland Conference opener Friday.

Greyson Shafer’s three-run homer highlighted the big third for the Colonels. Carter Jenkins added three RBIs. The Islanders scored four runs in the fifth, aided by three wild pitches, but could not overcome the early deficit.

Nicholls State starter Nuno Parache struck out eight over 4 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs. Relievers Peyton Lacy and Joseph Bordelon provided four scoreless innings of hitless relief. The Colonels improved to 7-8, while the Islanders fell to 8-6.