NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State's last three baseball opponents have had College World Series credentials, brand names and some level of familiarity.
More importantly, they had already played games in the 2015 season.
This weekend, Northwestern State (2-6) is faced with a different kind of challenge – a Sacred Heart team that has yet to play a game in 2015.
The Pioneers come to Natchitoches for a three-game series with the Demons. First pitch for Friday's game is set for 4:30 p.m. at Brown-Stroud Field. The schedule also calls for a 3 p.m. series-concluding doubleheader on Saturday.
"We don't know a lot about them, obviously," third-year head coach
Lane Burroughs said. "All the scouting report will be from last year. (Head coach) Nick (Giaquinto) does a great job, and I know one thing, they're excited about getting outside and playing an opponent."
The Pioneers were 29-28 last season and return three of their top four hitters, including home run and RBI leader Jayson Sullivan (.297, 4 HRs, 35 RBIs).
On the mound, Sacred Heart returns two pitchers who started at least 10 games – right-hander Jason Foley (3-3, 3.38) and lefthander Jeff Stoddard (4-2, 3.49). Swingman Nick Morrisseey (3-6, 5.06, 14 appearances) and reliever Dan Wertz (27 appearances, 2 saves) are also back for the Pioneers.
While weather has forced the Demons to shuffle the schedule for much of the past two weeks, Burroughs understands why the Pioneers likely will be unfazed by a shifting slate.
"They've been snowed in," Burroughs said. "They've had a lot of bad weather. It's going to be cold here, but for them, I don't think it's going to be bad. They schedule the games early in the South because they want warm weather. We all do. It will be an adjustment for them. The excitement of opening day, and it is opening day for them, it will be a challenge for us. They're going to come in here ready to go."
For Northwestern State, this weekend holds the distinction of being the Demons' last non-conference weekend series until May 1-3 when NSU travels to Notre Dame.
Northwestern State is expected to throw right-hander
Adam Oller (0-1, 3.27) on Friday, right-hander
Josh Oller (1-0, 3.65) in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader and right-hander
Jeffrey Stovall (1-1, 6.00) in Saturday's nightcap.
Those three pitchers have started five of Northwestern State's six weekend games this season.
"We feel good about our weekend rotation," Burroughs said. "Adam and Josh have been good. Josh was really good against Creighton. We'll get Stovall back in his normal routine. He's on his normal rest. We went for the throat against Creighton and brought him in to close the game out. He's not a bullpen guy. He'll be back in his slot in the rotation."
The Demons' continue their four-game homestand Tuesday when they host state rival ULM at 6:30 p.m. before heading to Lafayette for a rematch with UL Lafayette at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
