Feb. 11, 2008

THIBODAUX, La. - The Colonel baseball team's strength in 2008 will lie in its pitching staff, led by starters Ryan Harding and Lance Dupuis, and reliever Dale Dickerson.

A 2008 team captain, Harding has earned a role as a weekend starter for the Colonels after a stellar summer in the Jayhawk league and a dominant fall. The junior right-hander struck out 18 batters in 19 innings of work for Nicholls in 2007.

Dupuis returns for his senior season after winning Southland Conference Player of the Week twice last season. Despite being sidelined for nearly a month in 2007, Dupuis led the Colonels with a 3-5 record and 67 innings of work.

Entering his sophomore season, Dickerson has proven himself to be one of the top relievers in the Southland Conference. After seeing limited action as a freshman, Dickerson is expected to be relied on heavily out of the pen.

Pitching coach Chris Prothro expects contributions from a pitching staff that is stacked with seniors. In addition to Dupuis, five other senior arms are on the 2008 roster, including Jacob Sullivan (RHP), Bryan Myers (RHP), Nathan Quebedeaux (LHP), Joe Hagerty (RHP) and Justin Breaux (LHP).

Breaux, who has been one of the top arms for the Colonels for the past three seasons, made a team-leading 19 appearances last season.

Junior right-hander Jacob Parrish has impressed the coaching staff with flashes of dominance after a medical redshirt in 2007. Also returning to the mound and looking for a healthy season is Ryan Cheramie who underwent Tommy John surgery last season.

John Beauchamp, a sophomore right-hander, has made the transition to a full-time member of the Colonel pitching staff after spending his freshman campaign as a pitcher/hitter.

The Colonels welcome two newcomers to the pitching staff - Seth Webster (Deville, La./Buckeye) and Drew Erwin (Alvin, Texas/Alvin). Webster (RHP) has already earned loads of confidence from the coaching staff and along with Erwin (RHP) will be counted on for the 2008 season.

Also adding depth in the bullpen for Nicholls will be Patrick Juban, Justin Owens, Lance Guidroz and Calip `Doc' Jenkins.

Nicholls has three outstanding senior catchers - captain T.J. Menerey, Zac Bone and Brett Cook. Menerey, one of the top catchers in the league, will be looked upon offensively and defensively for the Colonels. Bone looks to see time behind the plate as well as in the infield. Cook, who should also see some innings, has a great work ethic and is a good defensive catcher.

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