The Nicholls State University Colonels baseball team will look to continue improving on defense this weekend when they host the University of Utah Utes in a four-game stretch.

After a 4-2 start that included a series win against Stony Brook University and a win against Louisiana State University who were ranked No. 4 at the time, Head Baseball Coach Seth Thibodeaux said his team has already seen the emotions of the game.

“We have played one week of baseball, and we have seen the highs and the lows. We have seen the emotions in the game, the top and bottom of the mountain,” Thibodeaux said. “This was all in one week, and now it is easy for us to teach. They understand if you do not stay humble, you will get humbled. If you do not show up, someone will take it from you.”

If one thing needs to improve before this weekend, Thibodeaux believes it is the Colonels’ defense.

“We need to get better on defense. We can score as much as we want to, but when it comes down to it, we are going to have to be the best defensive team we can be. If we do not better our infield defense right now, we are going to struggle to be the best team we can be,” Thibodeaux said. “Making the routine play. and making the play with two outs is important. We led the country last year in double plays. We were amongst the league leaders in defensive fielding percentage. We took a lot of pride in our defense. Today, teams play defense to win championships.”

As a leader on and off the field, senior infielder Seth Stevens believes he needs to improve his leadership role.

“I think I need to step up. I have been here for three years, and I have had a lot of playing time. I know what it takes to be in a winning team, and I want to be a better leader on the field and off,” Stevens said. “I want to explain to our younger guys what it takes and what they need to do to contribute. Right now, I think that is what my major improvement needs to be and that is to be a leader.”

The Colonels will be taking on the Utes team that is 1-7 overall. This series includes four games, including a double header on Saturday. Senior right-handed pitcher Ryan Deemes said the team will prepare for this weekend one game at a time.

“We will prepare for Friday night and try to get the first win of the series and gain momentum, taking that momentum into the next game and getting things done well enough to where we can keep having a good strive moving forward. We try not to think ahead of the series,” Deemes said.

Thibodeaux said preparing for these games can be tiring, but they train for games like these.

“As long as we are organized and have a game plan, we will be fine. Our pitching rotation will be set and our bull pin guys will know what to do. For the hitters, will have a plan each game. This is why we lift weights and train really hard in the fall to be ready for games like these,” Thibodeaux said. “We will take care of our game Friday and do whatever it takes to win. Hopefully we will have a great crowd behind us, because our players will definitely give everything they’ve got Friday night.”