THIBODAUX, La. – With five Southland Conference series left to play, the Nicholls State University baseball program looks to increase its chances of getting into the league's postseason tournament with a three-game slate against Southeastern Louisiana University this weekend.
Friday and Sunday's games will be played at Ray E. Didier Field, and Saturday's contest will be played at Alumni Field in Hammond. Fans are encouraged to wear pink Friday to support breast cancer awareness.
SERIES INFO
Ray E. Didier Field | Thibodaux, La.
Game 1: Friday, April 21 – 6 p.m. – vs. Southeastern | Watch| Listen | Live Stats | Tickets
Game 3: Sunday, April 23 – 1 p.m. – vs. Southeastern | Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Tickets
Alumni Field | Hammond, La.
Game 2: Saturday, April 22 – 2 p.m. – at Southeastern | Watch | Listen | Live Stats
COLONEL STORYLINES
The Colonels (20-19, 7-8 SLC) passed their first two league tests at the Did, sweeping HBU March 17-19 before taking two out of three against UIW last weekend. Friday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals was powered by a complete-game performance from senior Cole Stapler. Stapler struck out the side in the fifth inning en route to his second complete game of the season.
Senior Juan Givan is batting .378 in conference play, fronting six Nicholls players sitting above .300. Givan is riding a four-game hitting streak that includes seven hits in his last 11 at-bats.
Sophomore closer Adam Tarver has collected seven wins this season, tying for first in the league with Sam Houston State starter Heath Donica.
The Colonels are tied for seventh in the SLC with UCA; the two will face each other on the final weekend of the regular season in Conway, Arkansas.
THE OPPONENT
Considering conference play, Lions (22-14, 10-8 SLC) Friday night starter Mac Sceroler leads the league with 48 strikeouts. He also ranks fourth in opposing batting average (.211) and eighth in ERA (2.66).
Third baseman Taylor Schwaner leads the league with eight homers and 29 RBIs and boasts the conference's fifth-best batting average at .397.
SERIES SUPERLATIVE
Each team has won twice in the last four meetings. Nicholls holds a 9-11 record against Southeastern Louisiana at the Did dating back to 2003.
PITCHING PROBABLES
Game 1
Southeastern – RHP Mac Sceroler (6-1, 2.76 ERA)
Nicholls –RHP Cole Stapler (4-4, 3.98 ERA)
Game 2
Nicholls – LHP Mike Hanchar (2-3, 4.35 ERA)
Southeastern – RHP Corey Gaconi (3-3, 3.08 ERA)
Game 3
Southeastern – RHP Carlisle Koestler (1-2, 4.66 ERA)
Nicholls – TBA
