NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Nicholls State University baseball team is currently tied for second in the Southland Conference standings and will travel to Texas over the weekend to face conference opponent Stephen F. Austin State University.
 
The Colonels (27-23, 16-8 SLC) had held first place for weeks before losing their weekend series against Southeastern State University and falling into a tie for second. After a rough week, the team regained its confidence with a dominant performance against non-conference opponent Alcorn State University, winning 8-1 on Tuesday.
 
The Lumberjacks (17-30, 8-16 SLC) are currently riding a season-worst six-game losing streak and will look to play spoiler against Nicholls.
 
Lefty Taylor Byrd (7-3) will get his customary Friday start on the mound and carries a team-best 1.87 ERA. Southpaw Grant Borne (7-2) will throw on Saturday, with righty Brandon Jackson (3-2) closing out the series on Sunday.
 
Dillon Mangrum (6-5) will be on the bump for SFA on Friday and has a team-leading 2.75 ERA. Kevin Bishop (1-7) will throw on Saturday, while Sunday's pitcher has not been announced.
 
Leo Vargas leads the Colonels offensive attack, batting .308 and has 41 runs on the season. Keith Cormier is hitting .305 with a team-high 41 RBIs.
 
Handel Mackenzie leads the Lumberjacks in all three major offensive categories, batting .322 with 41 RBIs and 28 runs scored.
 
The teams will face off Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. with all three games broadcast live on KTIB 640 AM.