NATCHITOCHES – After spending its last 11 games on the road, Northwestern State softball returns to home to open Southland Conference play with a weekend series against Incarnate Word. The Lady Demons and Cardinals begin the three-game set on Friday with a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. and the finale scheduled for Saturday at one o'clock.

NSU (9-12) enters league play as back-to-back Southland Conference Tournament champions, although the program is seeking its first regular season title since 2000. Last season, the Lady Demons posted a 15-10 conference record, good enough for second place in the league.

"It's a very competitive league," seventh-year head coach Donald Pickett said. "Softball is a lot about matchups and there are teams that no matter where they are in the standings can match up with certain teams. Our conference has a lot of kids from this region. They know each other and played against each other. It's very competitive and you can't come into a weekend series and think you've got it figured out. Hopefully we can come out and get a good start."

Northwestern State has competed just three times against Southland newcomer, UIW (3-14), taking the series 2-1 one season ago at Lady Demon Diamond. The Cardinals enter league play 10^th in the conference in team batting average (.245), last among 12 teams in earned run average (7.66) and fifth in fielding percentage (.957).

"We were able to win the series at home but they stole a game from us," Pickett said. "I think our kids know the things that Incarnate Word brings to the table. Every win is important. It all counts the same. They have some really good hitters. They have a really good defensive team and they don't make a lot of mistakes. They are a real scrappy team. You can't give them a lot."

NSU comes in ranked fourth in average (.292), sixth in ERA (4.85) and last in fielding percentage (.939). The Lady Demons have played error-free softball just four times in 21 games, something Pickett says is vital heading into league play.

"I think defense is going to be the big thing," Pickett said. "If we can play good defensive ball, we're going to be in every game. If we can clean our game up, we can win every game left on the schedule. When you make a mistake, it kills your momentum and is a big swing. Hopefully we can clean that up and continue to get better on that side of the ball."

Offensively, several Lady Demons rank at or the near the top in the conference statistical rankings including Brittany Virgoe who is tied for second with 18 runs scored. The senior has reached base in seven consecutive games following the 29^th hit by pitch of her career – just one shy of tying Shanté Jones' (1996-99) program record – on Tuesday at No. 5 LSU.

Elsewhere, Cassandra Barefield is tied for first with seven doubles followed closely behind by teammates Natalie Landry and Micayla Sorosiak who each have six. Kellye Kincannon ranks second with 43 total bases, 20 RBIs and five home runs.

The league opener against UIW marks the first time in three seasons the Lady Demons start conference play at home. Over the previous five years, NSU has posted a 7-6 record on its Southland opening weekend including going 2-1 last season at Houston Baptist.

Following Saturday's game, NSU players and coaches will be around signing autographs. Schedule posters will be provided for signing.

General admission tickets are available for just $9 to Friday's doubleheader and are priced at $7 for Saturday's game. Chairback seating is available for $15 each day. To see a full list of ticket prices, including group rates, or to purchase yours today, visit NSUDemons.com or call the NSU ticket office at (318) 357-4268.

NSU concludes its brief four-game home stand on Wednesday, when the squad welcomes in No. 7 UL Lafayette. First pitch is scheduled for six o'clock.