Feb. 21, 2008

THIBODAUX, La. - The Colonel baseball team opens the 2008 season Friday night at Ray E. Didier Field as it hosts Louisiana-Monroe in a three-game weekend series. Friday night's first pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday's contests will begin at 3 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

Experience should guide the Colonels, who have 16 seniors on the squad, as they look to improve upon last season's results.

Shortstop Keith Kulbeth returns for his sophomore campaign after a solid freshman season and is expected to lead the Colonel infield. Senior Walter Jones, the Colonels' centerfielder will be depended on at the plate for offensive production.

Senior Lance Dupuis will get the Friday night start for Nicholls. Dupuis held opposing hitters to .281 last season, finishing with a 3-5 record and 43 strikeouts. Saturday's starter is expected to be lefty Justin Breaux, while Sunday's rubber match will see junior Ryan Harding on the mound.

Louisiana-Monroe holds a 66-47 series advantage over the Colonels, having swept last season's three-game series in Monroe. The Warhawks won 7-6 (Fri.), 11-5 (Sat.) and 12-10 (Sun.) over the weekend. Friday night's contest reached 10 innings before La.-Monroe walked away with the victory.

Nicholls last victory over ULM came on May 13, 2006 when the Colonels won 5-3 at Didier Field.

In an attempt to sell out Friday night's game, the Colonels are currently selling $5.00 tickets for a plate of shrimp jambalaya with admission to Didier Field. All proceeds will benefit Nicholls baseball.

This season, all Nicholls students will have their name entered into a drawing for $100 at each home baseball game. If the winner is not present at the first game, the money will roll over and the next day's drawing will be worth $200. By the end of the season SGA and the Colonel baseball team will have given away $2700 to some very lucky Nicholls students.

Fans can follow the action via live stats at www.geauxcolonels.com or on the radio at www.ThibodauxOnLine.com.

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