SOUTHLAND SERIES FINALE SET FOR SAN ANTONIO

SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — The Nicholls State Colonels and Incarnate Word Cardinals will meet in the rubber match of their Southland Conference series Sunday evening at Roadrunner Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 85 degrees.

The series is tied after a split of the first two games. Nicholls State (11-13, 1-1 Southland) won 8-4 on Friday before Incarnate Word (12-10, 1-1) answered with an 11-inning, 5-4 walk-off victory Saturday.

A key bullpen arm could be pivotal for the Colonels. Junior right-hander Karson Trichel has been effective lately, including four hitless innings of relief in Saturday’s loss, allowing one earned run. Over his last seven appearances, he has a 2.16 ERA with nine strikeouts in 10.1 innings.

The Cardinals will counter with their own reliable reliever. Senior left-hander Fawster Voytko also shined in Saturday’s win, throwing four scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. He has not allowed an earned run in four of his last five outings.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Incarnate Word 7, Nicholls State 6.

Both teams enter the finale seeking momentum. The Colonels have lost four of their last five games overall. The Cardinals have won three of their last four, including two extra-inning conference victories.

Following Sunday’s game, Nicholls State returns home to host Northwestern State in a conference series starting March 27. Incarnate Word travels to face Baylor in a midweek non-conference game on March 24 before a Southland series at Lamar.