HOUSTON – In a return home for nine Northwestern State softball players who hail from the greater Houston area, the Lady Demons did not disappoint, taking the final two games of the series against Houston Baptist to sweep the Huskies.

"We were definitely had a very big turnout (of fans)," seventh-year head coach Donald Pickett said. "We felt like we had around 75 percent of the fans there supporting us. It was a family atmosphere and I think the girls felt some confidence from the wins this weekend."

NSU (15-12, 6-0 Southland) defeated the HBU (6-16, 0-6 SLC) 6-4 in Game 1 before erupting for a 15-4 win in five innings during the finale.

"We didn't get some breaks in the first game and we kept fighting," Pickett said. Baylee (Gray) threw well and Micayla (Brown) threw well. Brown was awesome in relief. Bare(field) and Kellye (Kincannon) were able to get two timely home runs. We took their best shot and were able to get a good win."

Gray allowed five hits and only one earned run in 3 1-3 innings pitched. Brown, who earned the win, tossed the final 3 2-3 innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five.

NSU jumped out to a 4-0 lead helped by a RBI triple from Micayla Sorosiak and two-run home run from Barefield, a Houston native, after the top of the third. After the Huskies battled back, scoring three runs in between the third and fourth, Kincannon helped close the door in the fifth on a two-run long ball.

The Lady Demons did not wait long to get going in Game 2, racing out to a 6-0 lead after one, highlighted by Micayla Sorosiak's first career grand slam. One inning later, Natalie Landry launched her third home run of the season, this one a two-run shot to go up 10-0.

Brittney Jones added NSU's third long ball of the day, a three-run shot, providing the final blow to the Huskies. Elsewhere, senior Brittany Virgoe moved into the NSU record book after being hit by pitch in the first inning. The plunk was Virgoe's 31^st of her career, passing Shante Jones's NSU record of 30 set between 1996-1999.

Additionally, Sidney Salmans went 2-for-4 in the leadoff spot adding an RBI and scoring two runs. Jones, along with Sorosiak led NSU with four RBIs a piece as the sophomore tandem continued their hot seasons.

In the circle, Micaela Bouvier earned her team-leading seventh win of the season, tossing three innings and allowing just three hits. Skylar Cagle allowed three runs on two hits in relief before Shelby Sells pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit and one unearned HBU run.

NSU returns home on Wednesday for a midweek matchup against Louisiana Tech. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Lady Demon Diamond.