THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University will cross state lines to play a three-game series against Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas on April 17-19.
 
Nicholls (18-19, 10-10 SLC) enters the weekend on a two-game losing streak after dropping a mid-week contest against South Alabama. The Colonels are currently fifth in the SLC standings after winning a home series against Lamar.
 
Designated hitter Nico Rijo-Berger leads the team in batting average (.339) and has 37 hits and 20 RBI. First baseman Caston Thompson posts a .333 batting average while leading the team in hits (45), RBI (31), runs (27), and home runs (11). Greyson Shafer bats .273 while having the second most home runs (7) and RBI (29).
 
The Red & Gray pitching staff posts a 4.98 cumulative ERA while combining for 337 strikeouts. Haden Luke (5.79 ERA) leads the way with 51 strikeouts while Dawson Richard (2.91 ERA) and Nuno Parache (4.97 ERA) have 36 and 35 strikeouts, respectively.
 
Last weekend SFA (22-17, 11-7) won a home series against UTRGV as they are now tied with Lamar for third place in the SLC's standings. The Lumberjacks are riding a two-game winning streak after taking mid-week contests against Alcorn and Prairie View A&M.
 
SFA's offense features three players hitting over .300 as Jhett Creel leads the way with .331 average and a team high 31 runs. Julian Swift (.329) leads the team in hits (52) and RBI (47). Juan Cantuna (.311) has 32 hits, 26 runs and his team high 26 free passes help him have a .470 OB%.
 
The Lumberjacks post a team ERA of 5.56 and have 332 strikeouts. Cody Templeton (3.97 ERA) leads the unit with four victories and 51 strikeouts in 47.2 innings of work. Dylan Mulcahy (3.71) has 46 strikeouts and three victories in 34 full frames.
 
Nicholls leads the all-time series 19-18 dating back to 2008. This includes the Red & Gray winning eight of the last nine matchups dating back to 2019. The Colonels took the last meeting in a 7-6 13 inning thriller that ended with a two out double by Fisher Ingersoll.