THIBODAUX, La. – Seventh-year head coach
Seth Thibodeaux and the 2017 edition of the Nicholls Baseball team will begin the season with three games in Houston, starting Friday against Wake Forest.
GAME INFO
Schroeder Park | Houston, Texas
Friday, Feb. 17 – 2 p.m. - vs. Wake Forest l
Live Stats
Saturday, Feb. 18 – 2 p.m. – vs. Wake Forest l
Live Stats
Saturday, Feb. 18 – 6:30 p.m. - @ Houston l
Live Stats l
Video ($)
COLONEL STORYLINES
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Seth Thibodeaux begins his seventh season as head coach of the Colonels. He enters the campaign with a 172-161-1 career record.
- The Colonels will play a loaded nonconference schedule, including two matchups against teams in the preseason top 25. Nicholls will take on No. 13 Louisiana-Lafayette in the home opener on Feb. 21 at Ray E. Didier Field and again at ULL on April 4. The Colonels are slated to face No. 4 LSU on Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 28 in Baton Rouge.
- Nicholls returns three of its top four hitters from last season, led by preseason second-team All-Southland selection
Kyle Knauth who hit a team-high .347 last season as a sophomore. Knauth also lead the team with 15 doubles and 32 RBIs. Also returning are hits leader
Gavin Wehby (.310, 61 hits) and
Ethan Valdez (.282, 38 runs).
- The pitching staff also welcomes back two of its starters –
Cole Stapler and
Alex Ernestine. Stapler went 5-6 with a 3.49 ERA in 14 starts while Ernestine was 3-5 with a 7.58 ERA in nine starts on the mound.
- The Colonels will play 30 games at home this season, highlighted by the inaugural Mardi Gras Tournament held from Feb. 23-26.
SCOUTING WAKE FOREST (Team Preview)
- Wake Forest finished the 2016 season with a 35-27 record, the team's most wins since claiming 47 in 2002.
- The Demon Deacons are coming off their first NCAA Tournament season in nine years. Wake picked up a win in the opening game of the College Station Regional, defeating Minnesota.
- Wake Forest does return all five of its regular starting pitchers, as well as five starting position players. Draftees Parker Dunshee (Cubs - 14th round) and Chris Farish (Indians - 31st round) elected to return for the 2017 season. Dunshee, as well as outfielder Stuart Fairchild, earned Preseason All-America honors.
- Friday and Saturday's games will be the first meetings between the programs.
SCOUTING HOUSTON (Team Preview)
- Head coach Todd Whitting begins his seventh season. He owns a Houston record of 208-150-1 and has led the Cougars to two NCAA Regional appearances, a conference tournament title (2014) and a conference regular-season title (2015).
- Houston is ranked as high as No. 20 in the Perfect Game's Preseason Top 25 poll.
- Houston returns its top four hitters from 2016 team in Corey Julks (.332, 34 R), Joe Davis (.331, 14 HR, 58 RBI), Connor Wong (.304, 5 HR) and Connor Hollis (.294). The Cougars bring back 12 from the 2016 team and welcome 21 newcomers to the 2017 squad.
- The Cougars own a 31-13 all-time record over the Colonels and are 25-5 all-time at home
ON DECK
The Colonels will welcome instate rival No. 13 Louisiana-Lafayette for their home opener Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.
