The Nicholls State baseball team was picked to finish last in the Southland Conference preseason polls.
 “It’s a slap in the face,” said head coach Seth Thibodeaux.  “It’s very disrespectful. We’ve beaten a lot of clubs that probably voted us last, and so we’re looking forward to playing everybody in our league. A lot of guys that I know voted for us (last); we kicked their tails the last couple of years. I’m excited about it, and I can’t wait to play several teams in our league.”
Thibodeaux gritted his teeth at the thought of his team being picked last, but he is using it to motivate his club for the upcoming season. He is using it as fuel to shape the attitudes and add a toughness mentality to his club.
“Obviously, we’re not going to act like that in public, but our goal is to play with a chip on our shoulder,” Thibodeaux said. “It’s a tough man’s game.”
The Colonels headed into their game against Southern University in Thibodaux last night with a 2-1 record, as they took two games from their opening series against Houston Baptist University last week. 
Thibodeaux likes his team and thinks that his group of guys has what it takes to make a run toward a Southland Conference title.
“I like our club,” Thibodeaux said. “We have depth and we have really good players that can compete in the Southland Conference.”
Leading the way for the Colonels this season will be their junior second baseman Phillip Lyons. Lyons led the team in batting average last season, which saw him become a 2013 Preseason First Team All-Southland Conference selection. He was the only Nicholls player to be selected.
“You can tell that Phillip is leading the pack right now,” Thibodeaux said. “A lot of the younger guys are looking up to him, and he’s a seasoned veteran on this club.”
Thibodeaux said his club has more speed than it did a year ago. He said the goal of the offense is to hit and run a lot, as well as moving the ball and adding pressure. In other words, Thibodeaux said his club will utilize a lot of small ball this season, rather than “gorilla ball.”
“We’re not going to bang the ball all over outside of the park,” Thibodeaux said. “We’re not going to hit too many scoreboards.”
As for the pitching staff, Thibodeaux said there is a battle going on for the ace position. Seniors Mike Suk and Kory Delange and juniors Brandon Jackson and Taylor Byrd are all competing for that spot.
Thibodeaux said he needs more guys to step up on his pitching staff, but he does have some options in the pen with seniors Jordan McCoy and Kelby Langston serving as closers.  
The Colonels’ second series of the season begins this Friday against Towson University at 6:30 p.m. in Thibodaux.