MOBILE, Ala. – Following a week in which it went 2-2 and earned its first win over a ranked opponent this season, University of South Alabama baseball will travel to Thibodaux, La., to take on Nicholls State at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening at Ray E. Didier Field.

South Alabama (5-2) holds a 29-12 all-time series lead over the Colonels after splitting a pair of games last season. Nicholls State enters Tuesday’s contest 5-3 on the season and carries a four-game winning streak into its matchup with the Jaguars. NSU knocked off Louisiana-Lafayette 3-2 last Wednesday in Thibodaux, before sweeping St. Peter’s (N.J.) College over the weekend.

“Nicholls State split with Louisiana-Lafayette, and both of those games were one-run games,” South Alabama head coach Steve Kittrell said. “We will have our hands full at their place. That’s a tough park to play in, so our guys better show up. We’re going to Arizona (this weekend), and we can’t get excited about that – we have to focus on Nicholls State and try to come back to Mobile 6-2 before going out west.”

South Alabama captured wins over Jackson State and No. 29 Alabama, marking its best start since 2001, when the Jags began the season 8-0.

USA’s win over the Crimson Tide on Saturday was the Jaguars’ first win over a ranked opponent since knocking off No. 21 Western Kentucky last season in Bowling Green, Ky.

USA right fielder Nolan Earley leads the Jaguars in batting average (.423), hits (11), doubles (4), slugging percentage (.654) and on-base percentage (.545), after batting .545 over the weekend with a double, one RBI, two walks and three runs scored. Jake Overstreet leads the Jaguars in home runs (2), RBI (11), runs scored (8) and total bases (18).

South Alabama heads into Tuesday’s game at Nicholls State batting .285 as a team, while the Jaguar pitching staff carries a 4.22 ERA and is limiting opponents to a .257 batting average.

USA right-hander Kyle Dees earned two wins last week to move to 3-0 on the season, and has yet to allow a run in 6 2/3 innings pitched.

Dustin Crenshaw leads South Alabama in innings pitched (15.1) and strikeouts (10), and has not issued a walk this season. Cory McGinnis is the only Jaguar to record a save (1) so far this year.

NSU is led by Chase Jaramillo, who leads the Colonels in batting average (.406), hits (13), doubles (2), home runs (2), RBI (8), total bases (21) and stolen bases (4).

Left-hander Patrick Shreve (0-1) leads NSU in strikeouts (12) and innings pitched (13.0), while opponents are batting just .119 against him.

Tuesday’s game will be broadcast on WNSP 105.5 FM in Mobile, and can be accessed nationwide at www.wnsp.com.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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