SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE BASEBALL PREVIEW

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Interstat) — The Nicholls State Colonels and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders open a three-game Southland Conference series Friday, with both teams looking to build momentum from midweek victories.

The Islanders (8-5) enter with a better overall record, but the Colonels (6-8) are projected as a slight favorite according to Interstat’s ELO system, which gives Nicholls State a 56.60% probability to win. However, the same service’s game simulator predicts a narrow 6-5 victory for the home team.

Nicholls State arrives after a 3-2 road win at Southern Mississippi on Wednesday, powered by strong bullpen work. A key figure in that victory, and a player to watch this series, is reliever Tyler Avery. The right-hander threw three hitless, scoreless innings with three strikeouts against the Golden Eagles. Over his last five appearances spanning 8.1 innings, Avery has allowed just three hits and two earned runs while striking out eight.

The Colonels have won three of their last four games, including a series win over McNeese State last weekend.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is coming off a 7-5 loss to Texas-San Antonio on Tuesday, despite another solid outing from reliever Connor Schlect. The Islanders’ player to watch, Schlect, pitched three innings of one-hit, scoreless relief with two strikeouts in that contest. In his last three appearances, he has a 1.23 ERA over 7.1 innings, allowing just five hits.

The Islanders had won five straight before the loss to UTSA, showcasing a potent offense that has scored nine or more runs four times this season.

This series begins a crucial stretch for both teams. Following this weekend, Nicholls State will host Jackson State and Texas-Rio Grande Valley before hitting the road for conference play at Incarnate Word. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi hosts Texas Southern twice next week before embarking on its first Southland road series at Northwestern State.

First pitch for Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Chapman Field. The teams will meet again Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. to conclude the series.