THIBODAUX, La. -- Coming off back-to-back barn burner victories over in-state rival McNeese, the Nicholls State University baseball program (3-5, 0-0 SLC) aims to maintain focus heading into the final series of the season-opening 13-game home stretch, hosting four contests against northern visitor LIU (1-3, 0-0 NEC) from Friday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, Mar. 1 at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.

For the Red & Gray, the pitching staff managed to recover well in the last two games of the Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Mardi Gras Classic, leaning on reliever Joe Taylor in his three-inning save on Sunday evening before starter Tyler Theriot posted a competitive 6.2 frames in Monday afternoon's walkoff win. Meanwhile, the batting order continues to work out of an early-season slump behind strong showings from Dane Simon (.375 BA), Brayden Jobert (.333 BA) and Ivan Prejean (.267 BA), who combine thus far for 25 hits, 12 runs scored and nine RBIs.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Long Island University
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 28 | 6 p.m. // Saturday, Feb. 29 | 6 p.m. // Sunday, Mar. 1 | 2 p.m. & 5 p.m.
WHERE: Ray E. Didier Field | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch
TICKETS: Single-Game

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts

• Seth Thibodeaux enters his 10th season at the helm for the Red & Gray, sporting a 259-253 (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
The Red & Gray close out the final contest of the 13-game home opening stretch with the team's second midweek contest, hosting Valparaiso on Tuesday, Mar. 3 at 6 p.m. at Didier Field.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Baseball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_BASE), Instagram (@geauxcolonels) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).