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December 11, 2013
The Nicholls State University baseball team inked four players to scholarships this week.
One player in the group comes to Thibodaux with a pedigree of being selected in the MLB Draft.
Colonels coach Seth Thibodeaux announced his early signing class this week, players that will join the team in the 2015 season.
Of the players, three are current high school standouts and one is competing in the junior college ranks.
Headlining the talented group of signees is Jones County Junior College shortstop Trent Giambrone, a player picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 30th round of the 2012 MLB Draft while playing at Grace King High School in Metairie.
“Our coaching staff has worked hard all offseason to go out and find the type of players we know can compete in our system and want to be a part of this family,” Thibodeaux said. “I’m looking forward to having these four young men come in and compete for spots and make us better as a whole.”
In Giambrone, the Colonels will be adding a leader and a great defensive shortstop. Thibodeaux said the former MLB Draft pick exhibits great range and a powerful arm – two things that Nicholls will benefit from.
Thibodeaux said the next step in Giambrone’s development will come with his bat. Last season at Jones County, Giambrone hit .299 with a team-high 15 stolen bases out of the leadoff position. The Colonels’ coach said he expects those numbers to continue to grow in the future. Giambrone will be a junior when he arrives at Nicholls.
“Trent is an extremely athletic infielder with plus arm strength and a chance to really hit not only this year for his Jones club, but at the next level as well,” Thibodeaux said. “He is an above average runner and with his skill set could help us at any position in the batting order next year.”
Giambrone is not the only Louisiana-born infielder to ink with the Colonels in the early signing period.
St. Amant High School senior infielder Blaine Schexnayder will join the class following his final year at the prep level.
Like Giambrone, Schexnayder is a plus-level defender with an emerging bat.
As a junior at St. Amant, Schexnayder found a rhythm at the plate and was one of the Gators’ top hitters in a season that saw the team win it’s first playoff game since 2007.
He followed that up this summer with powerhouse American Legion team Gauthier & Amedee, helping lead the team to a national runner-up finish at the American Legion World Series.
Thibodeaux said Schexnayder is a versatile player that will have an opportunity to compete for playing time early in his collegiate career. He added that he expects the future Colonel to have a huge senior season for St. Amant this spring.
“Blaine is an athletic left-handed hitting infielder that has played shortstop for his high school and summer teams, and will have to opportunity to play at any spot on the infield for us in his time here,” Thibodeaux said. “He runs well and offers a lot of offensive potential, and we are excited to see him develop once he gets here.”
Rounding out Nicholls’ Louisiana-based early signees is John Curtis Christian Academy pitcher Evan Hileman.
A three-pitch right-handed hurler, the Patriots’ pitcher is coming off a decorated junior season. Hileman posted a 7-3 record on the mound in 2013 for John Curtis – enough to be named to the Class 2A All-State team. Hileman was also named district pitcher of the year and NOLA.com’s Pitcher of the Year for New Orleans small schools.
Thibodeaux said Hileman lives in the high-80s with his fastball, but could hit 90 mph if in a high pressure situation.
Thibodeaux said he’s excited about the Patriots’ senior because of his ability to be either a starter or reliever at the next level.
“He is doing a lot of work this off-season to improve mechanically and velocity-wise to finish his high school career with a bang,” Thibodeaux said. “And we are excited to add his work ethic and attitude to our program. … His role on our staff will be determined when he gets here, we can see him helping us in a variety of spots on the mound in his time here and are excited to add him to the family.”
In addition to the Louisiana trio, the Colonels received a signed National Letter of Intent from a Sunshine State prospect.
Pensacola Catholic High School outfielder Gavin Wehby will sign with Nicholls after helping lead his team to a 30-0 record and a National Championship.
According to Thibodeaux, Wehby is a speedy outfielder with the ability to play all three outfield spots.
“Gavin is an extremely athletic outfielder with good arm strength that has been timed as low as 6.47 in the 60-yard dash, which is elite speed,” Thibodeaux said. “He is beginning to add strength to his frame, and could profile in a couple of different places as an offensive player for us.”
All four signees have one more season with their current programs before enrolling in Thibodaux in the upcoming fall.
Nicholls’ 2014 season begins on Feb. 14, 2014 against Houston.
Colonels sign standout guard
While Nicholls baseball signed four players in the early signing period, Colonels’ men’s basketball coach J.P Piper added a standout guard into the fold.
Piper announced this week that Nicholls has received a signed National Letter of Intent from Oakland Community College guard Richie Lewis – a player who will have three years of eligibility upon arrival to Thibodaux.
In Lewis, the Colonels will be gaining the services of a multi-purpose athlete.
OCC is currently undefeated this season and Lewis is a big part of the team’s plans. Lewis is averaging 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and four steals per game for OCC.
Prior to his time in college, Lewis was a big-time prospect for Flint Northern High School in Michigan. While with Flint, Lewis averaged 15 points, five boards and four steals and assists per outing in one of the most respected high school leagues in the nation.
Nicholls State University baseball coach Seth Thibodeaux talks to his team before a game this past season in Thibodaux. The Colonels’ coach announced the team’s early signees this week – a four-player class that comes with a lot of clout. Headlining the list of signees is talented shortstop Trent Giambrone, who was drafted in the 30th Round of the 2012 MLB Draft while a senior at Grace King High School in Metairie. The players will be eligible to compete at Nicholls in the 2014 season.
