Nunez eyes more progress, postseason firsts in 2024

CHALMETTE – The Nunez Community College Baseball program is hungry and has set the bar high in 2024.

The Pelicans have clear goals to win the Region 23 Championship for the first time and earn their first NJCAA regional berth.

Head coach Glenn Powell knows it’s going to take a lot of work but the Pelicans have some experience returning that could raise the stakes.

Last season, Nunez posted a second consecutive winning season with the best record in school history (28-23).

There is great reason for optimism heading into 2024.

The Pelicans return six starters from last season including three starting pitchers. Landon Cortez (4.48 ERA – 66.1 IP – 73 SOs – W/L 6-4), Cole Bordes (64.0 IP – 66 SOs – 5.48 ERA – W/L 4-5 – 3 SV), and Andre Roux (19.0 IP – 42 SOs – 6.16 ERA). UNO commit Ira Austin (37.2 IP – 51 SOs – 4.06 ERA – 3 SV) lead the Pelicans bullpen.

All-Conference centerfielder Noah Detillier (.333 avg. – 48 Hits – 8 Home Runs – 35 RBIs- 14 Stolen Bases), Ben Harris (370 avg. – 61 Hits – 16 Stolen Bases) and Alex Roux (.321 avg. – 3 HRs – 29 RBIs – 32 BB) return this season after season ending injuries last season.

“We didn’t have Alex or Ben last season but having them back is huge for us,” Powell said. “Andre, Landon and Cole are going to be huge on our pitching staff. They are going to be our three starters and we’re looking that fourth starter right now. Our bullpen is one of our strengths with Ira leading the way. We have a lot of experience and I have 26 players graduating. We have to get this done this year.”

The Pelicans has some newcomers tasked to step up immediately. Blake Moss and Dorien Jackson will be in the outfield. Roth John (Coastal Alabama transfer) will handle first base. Kylin Broussard (Nicholls transfer) and Luke Conerly appear primed to take keys roles on the pitching staff.

The 2024 schedule is once again a challenging one. Nunez will have big non-conference matchups against Mississippi Gulf Coast, St. Louis, Southwest Mississippi and Jones College.

“Were playing on the road a little more this year,” Powell said. “The camaraderie with the guys being on the bus together for a long amount of time will help our chemistry. Hopefully our chemistry can get us over the hump.”

Region 23 is poised to be a three-team battle once again with Baton Rouge Community College and powerful Delgado Community College providing measuring sticks for the Pelicans.

Delgado will host the Region 23 Tournament at Kirsch Rooney Stadium in New Orleans on Thursday, May 2 through Saturday, May 4.

A significant change awaits Region 23 in the NJCAA postseason.

Usually the Region 23 Tournament winner gets a berth to the South Central District Regional but this year marks a shift to the South District and the region will be awarded two berths into that Regional. The teams that make the Region 23 Tournament Championship will punch their ticket to Oxford, Alabama for games May 8-12.

“I do like that two teams out our conference get an opportunity to make the NJCAA Junior College World Series,” Powell said. “If you can have a bad season, you still have an opportunity to get in the tournament. I think this is going to be good for all of us.”

Nunez will open the season at home this Saturday, Jan. 27 against Jones College. The doubleheader will start at 1 p.m, at Noel Suarez Stadium. The Pelicans stay home for the first three weeks of the season before hitting the road Thursday, Feb. 16 to face Copiah Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi.