THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball team hits the road for a three-game series against conference newcomer, the University of the Incarnate Word, beginning Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
 
The Colonels (19-19, 10-5 SLC) are currently in a three-way tie with Northwestern State and McNeese State for first in conference. Nicholls is coming off a 2-1 series win against the University of Central Arkansas, but had a four-game winning streak snapped in the series finale. The Colonels look to get back on track and take sole possession of the conference lead this weekend in the Alamo City.
 
The Cardinals (11-22, 4-5 SLC) have struggled through their first season in the Southland Conference, but have won three of their last five games against conference opponents and hope to play unwelcome hosts to Nicholls over the Easter weekend.
 
Coming off of the short week, the Colonels will throw righty Ryan Deemes (1-2) on Thursday, southpaw Taylor Byrd (5-2) on Friday and lefty Grant Borne (5-2) on Saturday. Deems struggled early in the season, but has put together a series of strong performances allowing just three runs in his last 10 1/3 innings. He is coming off of a 3 1/3-inning performance against Central Arkansas in which he allowed no hits while striking out two batters. Byrd has continued his dominant season, ranked first in the conference in pitching, second in strikeouts and carrying a 1.03 conference. Borne has been steady as of late and is coming off of a seven-inning performance against Central Arkansas in which he allowed two runs on seven hits while fanning seven batters. Borne is third in the conference in strikeouts behind Byrd with 51.

Incarnate Word will throw right-hander Geno Encina (4-5) on Thursday, lefty Dylan Boss (2-3)  on Friday and righty Jacob Potts (2-2) on Saturday. Encina is coming off of a loss to Southeastern, tossing seven innings while surrendering three runs (two earned) on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Boss most recently threw six innings against Southeastern, allowing just one run with seven strikeouts, earning the win. Potts has a 4.97 ERA and is coming off of a no decision against Southeastern, surrendering three runs (one earned) through six innings of action.

Nicholls is led at the plate by Keith Cormier, batting .297 with 29 RBIs and 24 runs. Leo Vargas leads the team in runs scored with 28 and is third in the nation in sacrifice bunts with 13. Philip Lyons is hitting .275 and has scored 25 runs on the season.

Slade Brown has a team-leading .321 batting average for the Cardinals with 22 RBIs and 12 runs. Jesse Hoover is second, hitting .299 with 15 runs scored. Mark Whitehead leads the team in runs with 25, and has 16 RBIs on the year.
 
The Colonels are third in the nation in double plays with 44 on the year.
 
Head Coach Seth Thibodeaux is one game away from his 100^th career victory with Nicholls.
 
The Colonels and Cardinals will begin their three-game series on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Daniel J. Sullivan IV Baseball Field. All three games will air on KTIB 640 AM.