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The chase for the final few spots in the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament is as tight as ever.
Nicholls did its part this past weekend to make sure that they’re in as good a position as it can possibly be – taking two out of three games from one of the best teams in the highly competitive league.
The Colonels took two this past weekend from Stephen F. Austin, improving to 25-24 on the year and 12-12 in Southland play.
With that record, the Colonels are currently in a three-way tie for seventh place in the league with Lamar and New Orleans, which means that one team in the trio will not earn a spot in the tournament, which starts in two weeks.
But Nicholls coach Seth Thibodeaux said after the victories against the Lumberjacks that he’s confident in his team’s ability to keep pushing because the Colonels are currently playing their best baseball of the season – something the veteran coach hopes can continue as the final games of the season draw near.
“Our players are fighting together,” Thibodeaux said. “Regardless of who gets the credit, I don’t think anyone cares right now. I think they are just falling in love with the game, winning and competing in the moment. I am so very proud of their efforts.”
The Colonels won an emotional rubber game against the Lumberjacks on Sunday afternoon, which allowed them to secure the series victory.
Sunday’s game was historical for the history of the Colonels program. Before the game, athletic officials dedicated Ben Meyer Diamond as part of Ray E. Didier Park – a new addition that drew a sizable Sunday crowd and which gave a little extra oomph to the home team.
Thibodeaux said the commemoration was fitting and much-deserved.
“All the thanks in the world goes to an awesome person and supporter in Tommy Meyer,” Thibodeaux said. “He’s been there since I took over as head coach, and I appreciate him and his family and our guys’ efforts today.”
The Colonels led throughout, thanks to a gutsy performance from starter Alex Ernestine, who weaved into and out of trouble like a magician throughout the game.
Ernestine pitched five-and-two-thirds scoreless innings for the Colonels, allowing 10 hits and two walks during his outing.
But he kept the Lumberjacks off the scoreboard by getting clutch outs in key situations, which allowed the Colonels to take the lead.
Nicholls got the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two-RBI double from Gage Teer – his only hit of the game.
An inning later, the Colonels got baserunners again and added insurance on an RBI-groundout from Gavin Wehby to make the score 3-0.
But the Lumberjacks battled back – like teams near the top of the standings always tend to do.
They cut Nicholls’ lead to 3-1 in the seventh inning, plating an RBI double off Adam Tarver, who relieved Ernestine and got five outs.
From there, Thibodeaux gave the ball to redshirt freshman and Houma native Austin Bollinger, who recorded the final five outs of the game – all without allowing a hit – to seal the win.
The outing marked Bollinger’s first career save. He said he was a little antsy to be in such a close ballgame with such high stakes.
But after a few pitches, Bollinger said he focused on having fun, which allowed him to settle into a groove on the mound.
“Baseball is always fun,” Bollinger said. “If you go in there nervous or don’t have fun, that’s when stuff starts going bad for you. It’s always fun no matter what situation I am put into.”
Perhaps even more fun is what’s to come this weekend – a golden opportunity for the Colonels to do damage to a team they’re competing with for the final spot in the Southland Conference Tournament.
This weekend is huge for Nicholls – a three-game slate against UNO. Two of the games will be in Thibodaux – on Friday and Sunday. And the Saturday game will be in the city.
If the Colonels can take the series, it would guarantee that the team will enter the final weekend of the season in control of its own destiny – a three-game road series at Central Arkansas.
Both Friday and Saturday’s games will have 6 p.m. first pitches. Sunday’s game is a matinee and will start at 1 p.m.
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