NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State softball used two monster innings including an eight-run second in Game 1 and seven-run first in Game 2 to down Incarnate Word on Southland Conference opening day, 8-0 and 15-0 at the Lady Demon Diamond on Friday.

"We got good pitching and we were able to score early," seventh-year head coach Donald Pickett said. "We continued to come at them and got stronger as the day went along."

Micayla Sorosiak notched three home runs on the day, bringing her career total to 10 and season total to six. She hit two in the second inning of Game 1, including a three-run bomb off the right field scoreboard to put the Lady Demons (11-12, 2-0 Southland) up eight runs on UIW (3-16, 0-2 SLC).

Sorosiak added a solo home run that cleared the center field wall in the fourth inning of Game 2 to put NSU up 12-0.

"Our kids knew we were playing a tough non-conference schedule so that would challenge us and we'd come into conference play seeing everything we could," Pickett said. "Coming in here and getting these wins early, especially at home, is always a good thing. Every conference game means a lot."

In Game 1, Kaytie Proctor picked up her first collegiate home run with a ball that snuck inside the left field foul pole to follow up Sorosiak's first long ball.

In the frame, Kellye Kincannon split the gap in left center to drive home two more runs. The sophomore added a phenomenal turn around catch in right field during the fourth inning.

Micaela Bouvier was dominant in the circle, earning her fifth win of the season in Game 1, tossing five innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four.

UIW starter Kristin Herbert lasted just 1 1-3 innings, allowing six hits and five runs against 10 batters faced. The Cardinals' Alex Alanzo and Anne-Marie Moore secured the team's only two hits.

In Game 2, NSU needed just four hits, thanks to two UIW errors, to tally seven runs in the first. After Cassandra Barefield drove in Kincannon and Brittany Virgoe on a single, Brittney Jones picked up her fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot, to stretch the lead to 4-0.

Two innings later, the Lady Demons put up a four-spot, highlighted by a three-run long ball over the Outfield Club in from Jones. In the fourth, it was more of the same for NSU, with four runs in the frame, including a three-run laser home run from Kincannon.

"Brittney is one of the most athletic kids," Pickett said. "She is a great kid that comes from a great family. We're proud to have her part of our program. She had a great freshman year and she's starting to turn it on. We look for great things out of her every weekend. It wasn't a surprise. She's got a ton of potential."

Baylee Gray allowed just three hits in four innings pitched, securing her second win of the season. Mikayla Brown tossed the final inning, striking out to Cardinal hitters. UIW's Mikaela Flores lasted just 1-3 of an inning, giving up four runs and walking another in the frame.

On the day, Virgoe recorded her 30^th career hit by pitch, tying Shante Jones (1996-99) for the NSU all-time mark.

NSU and UIW conclude the three-game series on Saturday at one o'clock. Fans are encouraged to stay after the game and get signed autographs from NSU players and coaches. Schedule posters will be provided.

"We've got to finish strong," Pickett said. "We started fast like we wanted to do but every game is important. We've got to come out here and continue to play our ball."