Colonels announce baseball signing class

Nicholls State baseball fans will see several familiar faces when the Colonels take the diamond in future seasons.

Fresh off a deep Southland Conference Tournament run, Nicholls State baseball coach Seth Thibodeaux announced the team’s 2012-13 signing class this week.

Headlining the class are several local products who Thibodeaux believes can keep the team pushing forward in its quest to become a regional power within the Southland Conference.

“We have answered our needs with this group,” the coach said. “We will continue to recruit not only great baseball players but great students as well. Character is a huge part of the formula as well and each one of these young men possess these traits.”

Pitching was the biggest theme of the class and the Colonels got two of the best arms from the area.

Central Lafourche lefty Jace Cheramie and Thibodaux right hander Bo Ockman are two of five hurlers Nicholls took in the signing class.

“Jace is a [lefty] that pumps strikes,” Thibodeaux said of Cheramie. “He gets better every time we see him throw and his better days are ahead of him.”

“We see Bo coming in and being a huge addition to our pitching as a freshman,” the coach added of Ockman. “He has tremendous upside and look for him to have a great career here at Nicholls.”

Rummel standout pitcher and first baseman Justin Sinibaldi will also join the Colonels’ staff, as well as Round Rock, Texas products Jake Valadez and Cody Tillotson.

With pitching secured, Nicholls then looked to bolster its infield depth in this recruiting class.

The Colonels received commitments from seven players who have experience playing infield, again headlined by local talent like South Terrebonne first and third baseman Zach LeBouef and E.D. White first baseman Alex Becnel.

Thibodeaux said he loves the pedigree of both players, adding that they will both be counted upon to boost the team’s offense.

“Zach will come in and compete for a starting role as soon as he gets on campus,” Thibodeaux said. [He] is strong and physical and will hit with some power. He is also a really good linebacker which really excites me.”

“[Alex] will be a physical left handed hitter for us and will play some [first] when he is ready,” the coach added of Becnel. “Alex has been coming to camp for a couple of years now and we have really enjoyed working with him.”

Also inked in the infield for the Colonels are Catholic High School catcher Alex Tucker, Central Private High School’s Seth Stevens, Parkview Baptist’s Cole Wilson and Alabama Southern Community College prospect Cliff Covington.

None of the prospects signed will be on the team until the 2012-13 season. Thibodeaux said he believes they are all worth the wait and will do their part to keep the Colonels on the winning path into the future.

“We have a great administration here at Nicholls and great things are happening here,” the coach touted. “With this, we can continue to recruit young men like these that will help us achieve our goals of being champions in the classroom and on the field. Nicholls State University will be a better place with these young men on its campus.”