HOUSTON, Texas – Coming off an 8-0, no-hit victory over Tennessee State, the Northwestern State softball team will look to continue building momentum on Wednesday when it travels to Houston Baptist for a doubleheader starting at 2.

 

Kelee Grimes tossed her second career no-hitter for NSU (3-12) in the six-inning mercy rule win over the Tigers. She registered nine strikeouts and was perfect through 5.2 innings. On the season, Grimes averages 10.69 strikeouts per game, which ranks first in the Southland Conference.

 

At the plate for the Lady Demons, Blair Beard has been on a recent tear. She has tallied hits in five of her last seven at bats, with two consecutive multi-hit games. Beard went 3-for-3 against Arkansas on Saturday, and then came through with a clutch 2-RBI single the next day in the win over TSU.

 

Sam Roberts is riding a three-game hitting streak and is 4-for-8 with two RBI, a homer, double and two walks during that span. She has two multi-hit games on the season, and leads the team with a .375 slugging percentage.

 

Defensively, the Lady Demons lead the SLC in fielding percentage for the second straight week, posting a .974 mark. NSU has committed just 10 errors in 15 games on the year. Brianna Rodriguez boasts a 1.000 fielding percentage on 56 putouts on the season at first base.

 

Houston Baptist (4-3) is coming off a 4-1 weekend at the UT-Arlington Classic. The Huskies defeated Drake, Arkansas-Pine Bluff twice and split with UTA in two games. Sophomore right-fielder Daniella Rodarte leads the offense with a .370 batting average and five RBI.

 

“Houston Baptist is a good, quality team. They are fundamentally sound and don't make many mistakes,” said head coach Donald Pickett. “We're looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we will respond to it. We're going to have to build off the win we had Sunday and continue playing at our highest level.” 

 

The doubleheader will be the season home opener for Houston Baptist. It will also mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

 

The Lady Demons will play their home opener on Saturday at 11 a.m. against UL-Monroe in the first of six games of the NSU Lady Demon Invitational. NSU will also be hosting Southern University.