April 9, 2008

THIBODAUX, La. - Head coach Chip Durham and the Nicholls baseball program announced Wednesday the addition of three signees for the 2009 season.

"We're very excited about this signing class and the 11 guys that we signed this past fall," said Colonel skipper Chip Durham. "All of these guys will be great additions to our program. They will compete for starting positions and put us in a stiuation where we can play for a conference championship."

The signees, all of whom are left-handed pitchers, include two high school seniors and a junior college transfer.

A 6-5 left-handed pitcher, Ryan Cooper (Sulphur La./Sulphur High School) chose Nicholls over Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese State. Through 60 innings on the mound this season, Cooper has posted a 6-3 record with four saves and a 2.08 ERA. He has fanned 79 batters and issued just seven walks and 18 earned runs all year.

Brad Delatte (St. Amant, La./St. Amant High School) is a left-handed pitcher playing for coach Bob Lemons at St. Amant HS. Delatte, the son of Rocky Delatte and Cheryl Templet, chose Nicholls over the state schools of Louisiana. The 6-1 southpaw has a 1.75 ERA with a 4-1 record and two saves, holding the opposition to .138 at the plate.

"We're adding a couple of freshmen," noted Durham. "Pitcher Ryan Cooper out of Sulphur High School is a tall lefty who projects really well. Brad Delatte out of St. Amant High School is in the mid-to-high 80's with his velocity and is a guy who can step right in and help us."

A 6-1 left-handed pitcher, Jake Waddle (Ft. Smith, Ark./Arkansas-Ft. Smith/Waldron High School) had 12 Division I offers, and chose Nicholls over Penn State, UAB and Middle Tennessee State. So far this season, the reliever/closer has a 3-1 record with five saves and a 0.84 ERA and has only allowed two earned runs. He is holding opposing hitters to a .148 average at the plate for Coach Dale Harpeneau's squad. Waddle is the son of Bruce and Carla Waddle.

"Jake Waddle from UA-Ft. Smith has been really successful at the junior college level, He's got experience in a regional tournament. He's been great out of the pen and starting - almost threw a perfect game earlier this season."

In 2007, Waddle posted a 3-0 record with six saves and a 3.92 earned run average. The left-handed hurler fanned 36 batters, walked just 13 and allowed just 47 hits through 41 innings of work.

Nicholls signed 11 players during the fall signing period, for a signing class of 14. The fall signees are JuCo All-American Adam Miley (1B), JuCo Gold Glove winner Steven Gauthe (SS), Kevin Schlegel (C), Josh Labiche (3B), Chris Murrill (CF), Scott Moseley (RF), Drew Snider (LF), Eric Douglas (3B/LF), Chase Cleveland (RHP/SS), Brandon Theriot (RHP) and Josh Costanza (LHP).

"All of these guys will play a part in getting Nicholls baseball where we want it to be," Durham summed up. "We're looking forward to all of them getting on campus in the fall and becoming a part of our program."

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