THIBODAUX, La. - For the first time since 2010, the Nicholls State University softball team will begin its season outside of Louisiana as the 2020 Colonels open their season this weekend in the River City Leadoff Tournament, hosted by Jacksonville University.

The Colonels will play San Diego State and host Jacksonville twice on Friday (Feb. 7) and Saturday, before wrapping up Sunday against Villanova. Nicholls played 'Nova in the 2018 season and defeated the Wildcats, 3-2.  Live stats for all five games can be accessed HERE.

Nicholls opened 2011-19 in the Lion Classic in Hammond, Louisiana, which will be the host side for the 2020 Southland Conference Tournament. The Colonels will be aiming to make their fifth consecutive appearance in the postseason. Nicholls posted a 34-22 overall record last year with a 21-6 mark in conference. 

PRESEASON POLL
Although head coach Angel Santiago's program graduated a stellar senior class in 2019, the Colonels were still voted to finish fourth in the Southland preseason poll. They received two first-place votes and totaled 186 points, trailing favorite Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston State, and McNeese. Southeastern Louisiana finished fifth in the poll as only 40 points separate the fifth team from the favorite. The Colonels have finished no lower than third in the regular season in their four-year tournament run. 

Team (First place votes) – Points
1. Stephen F. Austin (11) – 217
2. Sam Houston State (10) – 210
3. McNeese (1) – 202
4. Nicholls (2) – 186
5. Southeastern Louisiana – 177
6. Northwestern State – 152
7. Central Arkansas – 122
8. Lamar – 110
9. Abilene Christian – 61
10. Houston Baptist – 56
11. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – 52
12. UIW - 39

THE 2020 SCHEDULE
Along with the River City Leadoff Tournament, Nicholls will also take part in the Madeira Beach Tournament (Feb. 14-16), Mardi Gras Mambo (Feb. 21-23) in Youngsville, Louisiana, and Alabama State's Black and Gold Tournament (Feb. 28-March 1). 

The home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11 against Alcorn. First pitch at Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nicholls will also host two more Tuesday games in February against Southern (18th) and South Alabama (25th). Admission to all Colonel home games is free of charge. 

Other nonconference matchups include a return trip to USA (March 17) and at LSU on April 21. 

Southland play begins on March 13 with a three-game series against Abilene Christian. Senior Weekend will be the regular season finale against Lamar on May 1 and 2. 

THE RETURNERS
Senior Samantha Dares and junior Caitlin Garcia headline the returnees after earning Preseason All-Southland honors. Dares ranked second on the team last year with a .325 batting average to go along with four home runs and 29 RBIs. Garcia hit .226 on the year but proved to be one of the league's top power hitters, driving in 24 runs with a team-best seven homers. 

Also logging over 30 starts last year were Emma Holland (second base), Melise Goosen (1B/DP), and outfielders Samantha Mracich and Corynn Major. Holland hit .274 and led the Colonels with 34 runs scored while Gossen had a strong rookie campaign with a .261 batting average and 14 RBIs.

In the circle, sophomore Emily Danehower and junior Alexis LaBure each tossed 57 innings last year. Danehower had a 5-2 record with a 2.56 ERA, while LaBure picked up a pair of wins and had a 4.05 ERA.

FRESH FACES
Nicholls added five newcomers - Scout Blades, Jaida Choice, Kelsey Johnson, Taryn Westbrook, and transfer Nikki Whitehead. Blades was a local standout at E.D. White while Johnson, a native of Belle Chasse, joined her on the 4A All-State team. Texas products Whitehead was a NJCAA All-American at Angelina College and Westbrook earned 5A all-district all four years at East View.  Choice is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and hit 14 homers last year to earn all-state honorable mention.

Bree Aguillard, Allie Amerson, and Marcella Gossen will also make their debuts after redshirting as freshmen in 2019. 

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonel Softball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_SB).

No more preseason. It all starts tomorrow. #GeauxColonels pic.twitter.com/UAqPXepPS9

— 🥎Nicholls Softball🥎 (@Nicholls_SB) February 6, 2020