THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team is sitting atop the Southland Conference standings, but will need focus and endurance to maintain their lead as they travel nearly 700 miles and play five games in six days.

The grueling trip begins Tuesday at home against Southern (4-16) which is on a seven game losing streak and coming off of a 2-7 loss to Prairie View A&M.

The Jaguars are hitting .274 on the season, led by Lance Jones with a .355 batting average, 27 hits and 10 RBIs. The starting pitcher for Southeastern has not been announced, but its pitching staff carries a 6.67 ERA.

On Wednesday, the Colonels begin their road swing as they travel Monroe to face ULM (11-7). The Warhawks are coming off of a 16-5 stomping of University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Sunday. ULM is batting .226 as a team, led by Justin Stawychny, who's hitting .287 with 29 hits, 15 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

Lefty Alex Dumaine (1-3) will take the mound for ULM, bringing a 9.5 ERA.

Right-hander Justin Sinibaldi (0-1) will make his first start of the season for the Colonels, entering the game with a 2.25 ERA.

The Colonels have won five of their last seven and are on a two game winning streak, taking their three-game series against conference opponent Oral Roberts 2-1.

Leo Vargas is leading the team with a .294 batting average, 32 hits and 20 runs.  Keith Cormier is hitting .287 with 33 hits, 19 runs and 18 RBIs.  As a team, Nicholls is batting .239.

Tuesday's game will be broadcast on KTIB 640 AM, while Wednesday's game will air on KNSU 91.5 FM.