LAKE CHARLES, La. - The No. 4-seeded Nicholls State University baseball team begins its postseason in the Southland Conference Tournament with a Thursday matchup against No. 5 Northwestern State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Joe Miller Ballpark in Lake Charles.
Nicholls and Northwestern State both finished the season with a 12-12 record in conference, but the Colonels took the series two games to one to earn the tiebreaker. League champion McNeese garnered the top seed and is one of two teams to host the opening weekend. The Cowboys face No. 8 UIW Thursday night.
In the other bracket in Hammond, No. 2 Southeastern will play No. 7 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and No. 3 New Orleans takes on No. 6 HBU. The winner of each bracket will play a three-game series next weekend, hosted by the highest remaining seed.
Nicholls will play in the Southland Conference Tournament for the eighth time in program history and is making its first appearance since 2018. The 2020 edition was canceled and the Colonels fell short of making the field in 2019 and '21.
The Colonels are 9-12 all-time in the Southland Tournament and won one title in 1998. That year was the lone time Nicholls reached the championship game.
Nicholls has been a 4-seed twice and is 4-2. The Colonels won all four games in 1998 en route to its lone title.
The Colonels are 1-2 all-time against Northwestern State in the Southland Tournament. Their last matchup came in Nicholls' last appearance in 2018 with NSU taking a 4-3 Day 3 matchup to eliminate the Colonels.
Each game will be broadcast on ESPN+. The opening contest vs. NSU will air on KLEM 1600 AM while the remaining games are set for ESPN Radio New Orleans 100.3 FM.
JOE MILLER BALLPARK RULES
Below is a list fans need to be reminded of when attending:
1. Every person entering must have a ticket or an issued credential.
2. Player pass list will be set up in ticket booth if visiting teams utilize it.
3. Bleachers will be cleared of fans after the 1 p.m. game all days.
4. Clear bag policy will be enforced. Allowed bags include:
a. Clear tote made of plastic, vinyl or PVC and may not exceed 12" x 6" x 12".
b. 1-gallon re-sealable, clear plastic freezer bag.
c. Small clutch purse no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap.
5. Items not allowed include:
a. Large purses, backpacks, duffel bags, diaper bags, fanny packs, drawstring bags, camera bags, or non-clear/printed pattern totes.
6. No outside food or drinks will be allowed. Full concessions will be sold on site.
7. Lawn chairs are permitted for those sitting on the hills.
8. No flash photography.
