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THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University baseball squad commences its 2018 campaign on Friday in the first of a four-game series against Stony Brook University on Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field. Friday's contest is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch with the subsequent three games starting at 6 p.m.
 
A three-part preview was sent out on this year's squad on the infield, outfield and battery. Nicholls also announced several food promotions and facelifts to the Did in this release. The Colonels have a .633 winning percentage at home during the seven-year tenure of head coach Seth Thibodeaux.
 
Nicholls returns seniors Kyle Knauth, Joey Morales, Gage Teer and Ethan Valdez in the infield and fellow senior Chet Niehaus in the outfield. Those five contributed to a .975 fielding percentage last season, the highest in program history.
 
The Colonels have tagged senior lefty Alex Ernestine as Friday night's starting pitcher. Ernestine posted a 2-3 record with a 3.65 ERA, ending 2017 with back-to-back quality starts. Joining Ernestine will be newcomer Parker White and sophomore left-hander Bryan Taylor.
 
Nicholls has plenty of experience returning in the bullpen, including senior Jarred Scott, junior Adam Tarver, redshirt sophomore Austin Bollinger and sophomore Zach Autin. Senior Cayden Hatcher has been moved to the backend of the bullpen, and freshman right-hander Cyle Clayton is the frontrunner to close out games on the mound.
 
Pitching Probables
 
Friday, Feb. 16: LHP Alex Ernestine vs. RHP Greg Marino
Saturday, Feb. 17: RHP Parker White vs. RHP Bret Clarke
Sunday, Feb. 18: LHP Bryan Taylor vs. RHP Brian Hermann
Monday, Feb. 19: TBA vs. LHP Kevin Kernan
 
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Get your season or single-game tickets now by calling 985-448-4790 or visiting nichollstickets.com. Please click here for more information on joining the 2018 Nicholls Baseball Coaches Committee. Visit geauxcolonels.com for the most up-to-date information on Nicholls baseball. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_BASE.