Nicholls baseball coach Mike Silva is the 2023 Southland Conference Coach of the Year – one of several awards the Colonels received as the league released its All-Conference teams.
Silva won the honor after leading the Colonels to the regular season Southland Conference Title in just his 2nd season with the team. The Colonels enter this week’s Southland Conference Tournament with a 30-22 record and a 15-9 mark in the league. Nicholls will begin their run toward the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday night.
In addition to Silva, freshman sensation Jacob Mayers earned Southland Conference Freshman of the Year for his remarkable work on the mound. Meyers, a freshman from St. Amant High School, has arguably been Nicholls’ best pitcher in 2023. In 13 appearances, Mayers is 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA. Mayers has struck out 92 batters in his 62.2 innings pitched, and opponents are hitting just .169 against him.
The Southland Player of the Year was Ryan Snell, of Lamar. The Hitter of the Year was Tristan Moore, of UNO. The Pitcher of the Year was Grant Rogers, of McNeese. The Relief Pitcher of the Year was Steve Hayward, of UIW. The Newcomer of the Year was Rey Mendoza, of UIW.
The Colonels also were represented on the First Team with first baseman Edgar Alvarez, shortstop Parker Coddou, outfielder Xane Washington and Mayers all earning First-Team honors and recognition. Relief pitcher Gavin Galy won All-Southland Second Team.
On the Southland All-Defensive Team, Nicholls was well represented with Alvarez, Coddou and Washington all earning Gold Gloves.
