Colonels Welcome UIW for Three-Game SLC Series

THIBODAUX, La. – With five of its next six Southland Conference contests at home, the Nicholls State University baseball program looks to make a statement Thursday when it commences a three-game series against University of the Incarnate Word at Ray E. Didier Field.

COLONEL STORYLINES
Being at the Did has bode well for the Colonels (18-17, 5-7 SLC) this season. The squad has 15 of its 18 wins at home including a 3-0 mark in league play.

Junior outfielder Chet Niehaus has a scorching .460 batting average at the Did. Niehaus and fellow junior Gage Teer have recorded at least one hit in each of the last five contests.

Junior outfielder Gavin Wehby has performed equally well at home, producing a team-high 15 RBIs with the team's second-highest batting average (.306). The Pensacola, Florida, native enters the series with an eight-game hitting streak and 16-game reached base streak.

Dating back to 2014, the Colonels have a 32-16 (.667) record at the Did in SLC battles.

THE OPPONENT
Despite being chosen to finish last in both preseason SLC polls, the Cardinals (15-18, 4-8 SLC) won two out of three against Abilene Christian and UCA.

UIW has four student-athletes hitting over .300 in league play, fronted by Eddy Gonzalez's .357.

Cardinals outfielder Mark Whitehead ranks fourth in the conference with 15 stolen bases.

SERIES SUPERLATIVE
Nicholls has a 7-2 record against UIW in the last nine outings, including a 2015 sweep in Thibodaux.

PITCHING PROBABLES
Game 1
UIW – RHP John Shull (3-4, 6.57 ERA)
Nicholls –RHP Cole Stapler (3-4, 4.50 ERA)

Game 2
UIW – RHP Bernie Martinez (3-2, 3.65 ERA)
Nicholls – RHP Cayden Hatcher (3-3, 4.75 ERA)

Game 3
UIW – TBA
Nicholls – LHP Mike Hanchar (2-3, 3.51 ERA)