THIBODAUX, La. -- After opening up the 2021 campaign with a tight 1-2 series loss to Eastern Illinois, the Nicholls State University baseball program (1-2, 0-0 SLC) returns to action aiming to bounce back with serious force across a unique three-game weekend, playing host to northern foe Youngstown State (1-3, 0-0 Horizon) on Friday, Feb. 26 (12:30 p.m. first pitch) and Sunday, Feb. 28 (1 p.m. first pitch) at Ray E. Didier Field while also making an intermittent trek up to Baton Rouge on Saturday, Feb. 27 for a brawl with in-state opponent No. 11 LSU (3-1, 0-0 SEC) at Alex Box Stadium, first pitch slated for 6:30 p.m. on the SECN+.

Notably, the Red & Gray managed to upset the then-11th ranked Tigers early in last season's shortened campaign, leaning on a few elite performances from the Nicholls pitching staff to earn a final 4-2 victory in the Colonels' first win over the in-state powerhouse since 2015. On the mound, sophomore LHP Tyler Theriot clinched his first win of the 2020 campaign behind an electric 5.1 innings, striking out seven while surrendering just one run on two total hits; meanwhile, ace closer Joe Taylor, a fellow southpaw, locked up the first of his eventual five saves in the matchup as well, tossing 1.0 frame with one strikeout and one walk given up.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Youngstown State
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 26 // 12:30 p.m. | Sunday, Feb. 28 // 1 p.m.
WHERE: Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch -- Friday // Sunday | Listen

WHAT: Nicholls at No. 11 LSU
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27 | 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Alex Box Stadium | Baton Rouge, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch -- SEC Network+ | Listen -- KANE 1240 AM

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts

• Seth Thibodeaux currently resides in his 11th season at the helm for the Red & Gray, sporting a 267-258 (133-141 SLC) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts seven seniors and two graduate students: 1B Dillon Belle, INF Alex Galy, RHP Trever Kilcrease, OF Alec Paz, RHP Peter Holland, LHP Beau Balado, RHP Colin Kramer, C Greg Anderberg and INF JD Davis.
• This year's roster is highlighted by 23 newcomers, as graduate students C Greg Anderberg (George Washington) and INF JD David (The Citadel) along with freshman Wes Toups (LSU) joined as transfers from fellow DI institutions, sophomores LHP Josh Mancuso, C Austin Trahan, RHP Bradley Ely, INF Kyle Boudreaux, RHP Chase Gearing, 1B Grant Askins, RHP Logan Miracle, INF Austin Cain and INF Jeffrey Worley as well as redshirt freshman OF Basiel Williams climbed aboard via a JUCO program and freshmen OF Donovan Hamilton, RHP Gavin Galy, RHP Nico Saltaformaggio, LHP Luke Barbier, C Parker Serio, INF Parker Coddou, OF Garrett Urry, OF Sean Saviano, RHP Devin Desandro and INF Blaise Breerwood signed on directly from high school.
• This season's depth chart features 19 players from across the state of Louisiana, nine out of Texas, a quartet from Florida, a pair out of Mississippi and one from each of the following: Alabama, California, Iowa, Tennessee, South Carolina, Illinois, Georgia, New Jersey and Michigan.
• The Colonels are projected to finish ninth in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.
• Nicholls returns six players from last year's batting order (Dane Simon, Xane Washington, Alex Galy, Erick Hernandez, Dillon Belle & Alec Paz) along with three starting pitchers (Trever Kilcrease, Nick Heckman and Tyler Theriot) and three primary relievers (Joe Taylor, Peter Holland & Beau Balado).

UP NEXT
Following the three-game weekend stretch, the Colonels return to Baton Rouge for one of the team's few midweek clashes of the season, locking swords with LSU once again on Tuesday, Mar. 2 at Alex Box Stadium, first pitch slated for 6:30 p.m.

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