BASEBALL PREVIEW

LAFAYETTE, La. (Interstat) — The Nicholls State Colonels and Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns meet Wednesday at M.L. Tigue Moore Field, with both teams seeking momentum as the regular season enters its final weeks. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies and 76-degree temperatures.

Nicholls State (20-19) arrives after a dominant 5-0 shutout victory over Stephen F. Austin on April 19. Right-hander Nuno Parache, who will start Wednesday, threw six innings of no-hit ball in that win, striking out five. Parache’s season has been erratic: He followed a scoreless five-inning outing against Houston Christian on April 2 with a rough start against Lamar on April 12, allowing six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. The Colonels have won four of their last five games, including a 24-3 rout of Stephen F. Austin on April 18. Outfielder Greyson Shafer and shortstop Jaxon Milam each homered and drove in two runs in the April 19 victory.

Louisiana-Lafayette (25-18) enters on a high note after a 15-5 win over Southern on April 28. Center fielder Noah Lewis went 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBIs in that game. Lewis has been streaky at the plate, going 4-for-6 with an RBI in an 11-5 win at Arkansas State on April 25 but hitless in three of his last four games entering Wednesday. The Ragin’ Cajuns have won four of their last six games.

Projections are split. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 7-6 Nicholls State victory, while Interstat’s ELO system gives Louisiana-Lafayette a 67 percent probability to win.

Following Wednesday’s game, Nicholls State returns home to host New Orleans for a three-game series starting May 1. Louisiana-Lafayette opens a home series against Georgia State on May 1.