MONROE, La. – Nicholls built a five-run lead and answered ULM's charge, as the Colonels picked up a 7-3 win Saturday afternoon to clinch a series victory at Lou St. Amant Field.
 
Nicholls (11-6 overall) took control in the third and fourth innings. Wes Toups hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the third inning for the 1-0 lead. In the fourth, Nicholls had the bases empty with two outs before stringing together four consecutive hits, as a 2-RBI double by Kaden Amundson and an RBI single by Jaden Collura extended the lead to 4-0. Garrett Felix extended the lead to 5-0 in the sixth inning with a solo home run.
 
ULM (6-10 overall) responded in the bottom of the sixth inning, as RBI singles by Kade Dupont and Riley Davis brought the Warhawks back within three, 5-2. However, Nicholls answered with two runs in the top of the seventh, as Xane Washington hit a 2-RBI single back through the middle to push the lead back to five, 7-2.
 
ULM picked up a run in the ninth inning as Cardell Thibodeaux hit a sacrifice fly to score Zack Floyd, but a pop out by pinch-hitter Seaver Sheets, the potential game-tying run, brought an end to the contest.
 
Devin Desandro (1-1) earned the win for Nicholls on the mound, allowing two runs on four hits with one walk and two strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. Cade Evans recorded the final two outs of the game for his second save. Cole Cressend (1-3) took the loss, giving up five runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings.
 
Offensively, Felix had three hits, including a double and a home run, with an RBI and two runs scored to lead Nicholls. Toups also had two hits with two runs scored for the Colonels. Seven different players accounted for ULM's seven hits.
 
ULM and Nicholls conclude the three-game series at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lou St. Amant Field.