NATCHITOCHES – After a tough loss to Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, the Northwestern State softball team hosts Southland Conference foe Lamar on Friday and Saturday for a three-game series beginning at four o'clock.
 
“Wednesday was tough, but we're putting that game behind us and focusing on the rest of the season,” said head coach Donald Pickett. “Lamar has been competitive in their first year back so it will be a good weekend.”
 
The Lady Demons (24-7, 5-3 SLC) currently sit second in the conference standings, just two games behind McNeese State, while the Lady Cardinals (14-19, 5-4 SLC) are in a four-way tie for third place.
 
This is the first year of Lady Cardinal softball since the 1987 season.
 
NSU swept last place Texas A&M – Corpus Christi last weekend to aid in a six-game win streak, the second longest streak of the season. The first consisted of 11 straight wins that started on February 17 with a 3-2 victory over Murray State at the Bulldog Battle hosted by Mississippi State.
 
Lamar grabbed two wins from Sam Houston State last weekend before falling in the final game of the series on Sunday.
 
The Lady Demons have collected a .318 average at the plate, led by junior Tara McKenney who presents a .387 average after 43 hits in 111 appearances. Brianna Rodriguez and Brittany Virgoe follow McKenney with .374 and .370 averages, respectively.
 
Sophomore Cassandra Barefield leads the team with nine home runs, three of which in the past week. Her tie of 28 RBIs with Rodriguez also qualify for a team high.
 
Senior Kylie Roos (8-1) sports a 1.18 ERA in 65.1 innings in the circle.  She has thrown four shutouts this season, and held opponents to just 31 hits and 14 runs while striking out 81 of 227 batters.
 
Lady Cardinals' Shannon Millman (8-8) enters Friday's contest with a 4.51 ERA, followed by Tina Shulz (4-6) with a 3.52 earned run average.
 
Candyce Carter leads from the plate with a .375 average, including five homers and 15 RBIs, followed by Jenna Holland hitting .291 with one home run and 15 RBIs as well.
 
The Lady Demons will face Central Arkansas next Saturday in another Southland Conference match-up beginning at one o'clock at the Lady Demon Diamond.