THIBODAUX, La. -- The Nicholls State University baseball program (0-0, 0-0 Southland) launches the 2020 campaign in style later this weekend, hosting a five-game tournament -- the Baseball on the Bayou Classic -- against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (0-0, 0-0 OVC) and George Washington (0-0, 0-0 A-10) in a Friday through Sunday clash at Ray E. Didier Field in Thibodaux, La.

After narrowly missing a trip to the SLC Tournament last year, head coach Seth Thibodeaux -- who officially hits the decade mark at the program's helm this season -- aims to reestablish a high-level of competitive play behind a veteran squad, including senior leadership headlined by first baseman Adam Tarver and starting pitcher Trever Kilcrease.

"The expectations of the year are always high no matter what, especially around this program," Thibodeaux said. "I'm really looking forward to watching these guys fight through adversity fight through tough moments, fight from things not going their way and finding a way no matter what. And I think they have completely bought into to our core values, the things we believe in as a coaching staff. I think we're going to really defend and I think we're really going to pitch and I'm really excited about what we're going to have to be able to do offensively with so many athletes back from injury, including Xane Washington and Nathan Tribble."

The Colonels are set to host an unprecedented 38 home games on the season, including a pair of tournaments across the first two weekends and a major non-conference test against No. 11 LSU, before shifting focus to Southland Conference play on Friday, Mar. 6, trekking east for a three-game series at rival New Orleans. The Colonels close out the regular season schedule on May 14-16 at HBU, squaring off against the Huskies before potentially advancing to the Southland Conference Tournament in Corpus Christi, Texas.

"I'm excited that we are slated to host 38 home games, and I'm pumped about having two tournaments," Thibodeaux continued. "I'm proud that they're want to come here. Just the fact that we're able to attract all these teams is a treat for the entire program, and I think it really says something about Thibodaux and the respect people have for our program. I don't think teams would come down here if they didn't have a tremendous amount of respect for us. These northern squads don't go to bad places. They don't like playing in bad facilities. They don't like going to towns that you can't enjoy yourself in. And they don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere. Here in this city, at this program, we have a joy for baseball and I truly believe that's a major factor in attracting the level of competition coming to play us this season."

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 14 / 2 p.m. | Saturday, Feb. 15 / 6 p.m.
WHERE: Ray E. Didier Field | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch / Nicholls Athletics YouTube

WHAT: Nicholls vs. George Washington
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 14 / 6 p.m.
WHERE: Ray E. Didier Field | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch / Nicholls Athletics YouTube

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts

• Seth Thibodeaux enters his 10th season at the helm for the Red & Gray, sporting a 256-248 (132-139 SLC) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts 11 seniors: LHP Zach Autin, C Dillon Belle, LHP Bryan Taylor, INF Alex Galy, RHP Trever Kilcrease, OF Alec Paz, C Chris Sandberg, RHP Peter Holland, LHP Austin Bollinger, LHP Beau Balado & INF Adam Tarver.
• This year's roster is highlighted by 14 newcomers, as senior Alex Galy joined the program via direct transfer (Tulane), juniors INF Justin Ory, RHP Cade Evans, LHP Joe Taylor, RHP Jordan Lansford, RHP Dwain Varisco, RHP David Vial Jr. & C Erick Hernandez climbed aboard via a JUCO program and freshmen INF Hunter Gotreaux, INF Brayden Jobert, OF Caleb Hill, UT Lane Hutchinson, C Kolby Dufrene & INF Ethan Lege signed on directly from high school.
• This season's depth chart features 21 players from across the state of Louisiana, six from Texas, a trio from Florida and one from each of the following: Arizona, California, Georgia, Mississippi & Tennessee.
• The Colonels were projected to finish eighth in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.
• Nicholls returns six players from last year's batting order (Dane Simon, Chris Sandberg, Adam Tarver, Austin France, Dillon Belle & Alec Paz) along with two starting pitchers (Trever Kilcrease & Shane Mejia Jr.) and two primary relievers (Tyler Theriot & Beau Balado).

UP NEXT
After closing out the season-opening tournament, the Red & Gray must quickly shift focus to inarguably their toughest non-conference test of the season: vs. No. 11 LSU, first pitch set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Ray E. Didier Field.

STAY SOCIAL
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