RUSTON – A lot has changed for Northwestern State softball pitcher Mikayla Brown since the last time the freshman faced Louisiana Tech. The right-hander made her first collegiate start on March 18 against the Lady Techsters, lasting just 1 1-3 innings, allowing five hits and two runs.

Making her fifth start on Wednesday night in Ruston, the Deville native was sharp, fanning five hitters in three innings and blanking Louisiana Tech in her tune-up for the weekend as NSU downed the Lady Techsters 4-0.

Sophomore Skylar Cagle (3-1) earned the win in relief for Brown, tossing four innings, allowing four hits while striking out three and walking one. The righty survived the Lady Techsters' biggest blow in the sixth, inducing a ground ball to freshman Hailee Rhodes at shortstop with runners on second to secure NSU's ninth shutout of the season. The game marked the first time this season Tech had been shut out.

"It was awesome," seventh-year head coach Donald Pickett said of his pitchers. "Brown got us off to a great start in those three innings and Cagle was big in the final four. They were very confident and had good approaches against the Tech lineup."

The win was the Lady Demons' fifth straight against Louisiana Tech as the club improved to 25-14 on the season. Meanwhile, the Lady Techsters fells to 26-13.

NSU got on the board in the sixth inning when senior Cassandra Barefield's launched a two-run home run. Senior Brittany Virgoe singled and sophomore Kellye Kincannon hit into a fielder's choice to set the stage for Barefield to launch her 13^th long ball of the season and 49^th of her career.

One inning later, Rhodes led off with a single, to move her season-high hit streak to five games. After senior Kayla Boening came in to pinch run, freshman Sidney Salmans doubled to center to plate Boening. The lead later grew to 4-0 on a passed ball with Virgoe at the plate to score Rhodes.

"Louisiana Tech is a really good team," Pickett said. "Their pitcher was getting us to chase some pitches early. We were able to get some things going the third time through the lineup. It was good to see us come back in the seventh with a pair of insurance runs as well."

Louisiana Tech starter Bianca Duran (13-10) drew the loss, giving up four hits and two runs in 5 1-3 innings while walking two and striking out another. Bailey Allen came on in relief, tossing the final 1 2-3, permitting three hits and the game's final two runs.

With a single to right field in the fourth, Kellye Kincannon moved her hit streak to six games. The sophomore has recorded hits in 17 of her last 18 games. Elsewhere, Mikayla Sorosiak finished 2-for-3 at the plate marking the seventh multi-hit game this season for the sophomore.

Northwestern State closes out regular-season home play this weekend by welcoming Nicholls for a three-game set. The series, which has been altered due to expected inclement weather, will begin with a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. before concluding on Sunday at noon.