After a strong start in conference, the Nicholls baseball team dropped two games in the series with Sam Houston State this past weekend.

Head coach Seth Thibodeaux said he has high expectations for this season, the overall goal being the Southland Conference Championship. He said that conference games intensify gameplay and excitement for both the team and the coaching staff, and every conference matchup thus far has been an absolute battle.

“I’ve been so focused on the team this year, I seem to have forgotten about (my) family,” Thibodeaux said.

The team is set to have a victorious season, and as of Tuesday, the Colonels are 3-3 in conference play and 11-9 overall.

“We have not been outplayed, only beat, so there is never any excuse,” Thibodeaux said. “This start has been really exciting and bright for our team.”

These wins have come without ever having the team’s full starting rotation together on the field due to some health and injury issues. Being only the fifth weekend of play, however, the season is still young.

Thibodeaux said he would like to see the team win at least 40 games total, 20 in conference, but expects to surpass that by a long ball. To reach the goals set, he said improvements need to be made, starting with remaining consistent not only in health but also in gameplay.

There has been a back-and-forth effect in offense and defense. During the three game series vs. Southeastern University, Nicholls scored a total of 17 points and gave up 16, defeating the University of New Orleans 15-7.

In those performances, play differed in the series vs. Sam Houston, scoring only 12 total points and also giving up 12.

The team looks to strive for their explosive style in their next 27 conference games. This style currently highlights 56 stolen bases on the season, which hoists Nicholls among the top of that category in America.

Nicholls has a huge upcoming weekend of Southland play at McNeese State and looks to capitalize on their away streak.

Thibodeaux said that the games against McNeese State would prove to be a huge win for the club.

After a short trip to Hammond to face Southeastern, the Colonels will return home for conference play vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi the weekend of March 30. Thibodeaux said he would like to see a huge attendance for the series held here at Ray E. Didier Field in Thibodaux. He said he feels like it would motivate the players to give there best during the Southland matchups.

“It’s not difficult to come out and enjoy a great game,” Thibodeaux said.