FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
THIBODAUX, La. – With defense as a priority, the Colonels have depth throughout the infield. Two returners and a wealth of newcomers give Nicholls options at all four positions.
The battle for first base has been tough. JuCo transfer Tyler Minto (Mobile, Ala./Alabama Southern CC) will see time on the bag, but will also be in the mix on the mound for the Colonels. Redshirt freshman Blake Bergeron (Houma, La./Terrebonne) had an outstanding offseason in the weight room and led the Colonels in hitting throughout the fall. After leading Nicholls at the plate as a true freshman, Kevin Persick (Zachary, La./Zachary) returns, though a football injury may hold the sophomore back through the early part of the season. All three first basemen are big and physical athletes.
“I’m excited about the depth of talent we have at first,” said Head Coach Chip Durham. “All three of these guys have a chance to be good hitters. Good defense is important at first base, especially when it comes to receiving throws from across the infield, so our infielders can only be as good as these first basemen.”
After spending the last two seasons as the Colonels’ starting shortstop, junior Keith Kulbeth (Opelousas, La./Westminister Christian Academy) will take over the starting role at second base this year. Kulbeth will be counted on offensively near the top of the order. JuCo transfer Zach Tisdale (Petal, Miss./Pearl River CC) is a versatile infielder who will see time at second, but has the ability to play first and third as well. Newcomer Brady Bourque (Gonzales, La./LSU-Eunice) can play all of the infield positions for the Colonels, adding options at multiple spots.
“We are athletic and have depth at second base,” Durham noted. “Kulbeth is a proven hitter and the move from shortstop to second will allow him to relax and hit. Both Tisdale and Bourque are extremely talented defenders who provide back-up options for us.”
Around the horn at shortstop is newcomer Stephen Gauthe (Belle Rose, la./Copiah-Lincoln CC), a JuCo All-American and winner of the 2007 Rawlings Junior College Gold Glove Award. Gauthe brings a great deal of speed and defense to the lineup. Kulbeth and Bourque will add depth at short, as both have experience in that role.
“I’m very excited about having Gauthe at shortstop,” added Durham. “He is a very solid defensive player who is athletic. Having him at short will give us a chance to win a lot of games. Along with Gauthe, Kulbeth, Bourque and Tisdale, we have quality depth through the middle infield.”
Newcomer Josh Labiche (Reserve, La./Delgado CC) joins the Colonels after leading the Dolphins to the 2007 JuCo World Series. Labiche brings size and arm strength, making him a perfect fit at third. Redshirt freshman Beau Faulk enters this season at third base, but could also see time at first. Faulk will bring power to the Colonel lineup as he develops.
“Labiche is a very athletic player with good arm strength,” Durham stated. “He is solid on defense and has a chance to be powerfull on offense with his speed. Faulk has a chance to develop into a very good player for us. He’s still in the process of learning how to play that third base position, but he has some pop in his bat that will give him a chance to see some quality playing time.”
