In a dramatic baseball game, UC Irvine initially took a commanding lead against Nicholls, with Myles Smith hitting two home runs, contributing to an 8-1 lead. Nicholls made a significant comeback, narrowing the gap to 9-5 by the fifth inning after chasing UC Irvine starter Nick Pinto, and eventually taking the lead 12-11 with a three-run homer by Edgar Alvarez, the Southland Conference's most outstanding player. UC Irvine had to rely on closer Ricky Tibbett in the seventh inning as Nicholls continued to apply pressure. Despite UC Irvine's efforts, Nicholls managed to hold their lead into the ninth inning, with Devin Desandro returning to the mound, aiming for his third save of the year. Nicholls, who have historically struggled in regional games, are on the brink of a historic win.
Devin Desandro returns to the mound for Nicholls in the 9th. He has two saves this year. Getting number three would make history for the Colonels, who are 0-8 all-time in regional games. They lead UC Irvine 12-11.
Southland Conference most outstanding player Edgar Alvarez just showed why, hitting go-ahead three-run homer over the scoreboard off UC Irvine closer. Nicholls takes the lead 12-11 after trailing 9-1. What a comeback!
Nicholls first two batters walk in 9th inning off UC Irvine closer, who is pitching his third inning. Mound visit. Once again, Colonels have tying run on base, this time with no out.
Three times today Nicholls has had runner at third base and another runner on with one out and failed to score. Colonels trail UC Irvine 11-9 headed to bottom 8th.
Nicholls has tying run at second base with one out in 8th. Colonels, trying to mount incredible comeback from 9-1 deficit, are down 11-9.
Nicholls left fielder Garrett Felix lost a high fly in the sun, turning an out into a triple that bounced off the warning track. UC Irvine got an insurance run in the 7th and leads 11-8 headed to 8th.
Nicholls nearly tied it, but UC Irvine center fielder runs down Parker Coddou fly into the gap on warning trap. Colonels trail 10-8 entering bottom 7th.
UC Irvine is having to go to closer Ricky Tibbett in the 7th. Nicholls has bases loaded with one and tying run is at the plate in 8-hole hitter Narvin Booker, who has reached base in all three plate appearances today.
Not sure about that decision by Basiel Williams to go from first to third on a single to left, but he made it work. Nicholls has pulled within 10-6 of UC Irvine and has runners at corners with one out.
UC Irvine adds run in bottom of 5th, but Myles Smith, bidding for third homer of the day, has high fly caught at wall in right field. Nicholls trails 10-5 headed to 6th.
Nicholls chased UC Irvine starter Nick Pinto with four runs in the fifth. Colonels trail 9-5 after looking like they were out of it.
Five straight Nicholls batters have reached to start the fifth after the Colonels fell behind 9-1. Now it's 9-4 with two men on and no outs.
UC Irvine's Myles Smith sends one well over the bleachers behind the right field wall. Nicholls trails 8-1 on Smith's second homer of the day.
Quite the early turnaround in Corvallis. Nicholls left runners on second and third in top of first with one out and UC Irvine hits two-run homer off Jacob Mayers and follows with solo shot. Colonels trail 3-1.
Oregon State, the 15-seed, will host Tulane on Friday. Nicholls and UC Irvine round out the Corvallis Regional field.
Corvallis Regional (15) @BeaverBaseball @GreenWaveBSB @Nicholls_BSB @UCIbsb #RoadToOmaha https://t.co/GlkAlOrjLp
In the Corvallis regional are 4-seed Tulane, 3-seed Nicholls and 2-seed UC Irvine. https://t.co/tfNStpUykL