NATCHITOCHES – The moment could not have been scripted any more perfect for a pair of fourth-year Northwestern State softball players on senior day Saturday evening.

Heading into the fourth inning scoreless against Nicholls, Brittany Virgoe, NSU's all-time leader in hits by pitch was drilled for the 32^nd time in her career to open the frame. Two batters later, Cassandra Barefield, NSU's program leader in home runs, smacked the 50^th of her illustrious career off the scoreboard in right to help cap an 8-0, five-inning victory.

"They've all done great things," seventh-year head coach Donald Pickett said about his seniors. "Brittany, Barefield and Kayla (Boening) have helped us in different ways; not only with their play but they've been great kids off the field. It makes it really special to come out on senior day and for them to perform like they can."

Northwestern State (26-14, 15-2 Southland) erupted for four long balls on the day against the Colonels (24-17, 10-9 SLC), marking the 19^th multi-homer game of the season and first time since March 6 against Incarnate Word that NSU left the yard as many times.

A pitching duel ensued early as neither Nicholls or Northwestern State could muster a run through three frames. That all changed on Barefield's blast in the fourth, which plated Kellye Kincannon and Virgoe. The fireworks continued in the fifth as Virgoe and Kincannon hit back-to-back jacks to widen the lead to 6-0. After Barefield was plunked by a pitch, Brittney Jones launched her 10^th homer of the season for the run-rule win.

"Us being able to adjust during the game was huge," Pickett said. "They had us off balance at first and we weren't seeing the ball well. We just talked about trying to not do too much, use the center of the field and see the ball. When they have those good approaches, they can do those special things."

For all the focus on NSU's senior class and its potent offense, freshman starter Mikayla Brown (7-2) was superb in the circle, tossing five innings while allowing just two hits. The righty lowered her season ERA to 1.45 after notching her third straight league victory as a starter.

"I think she was getting ahead in the count," Pickett said. "She was able to hit her spots with pitches. Them not seeing her two times through the lineup and the ability to shorten the game I think was a huge factor also."

Natalie Landry picked up her first triple of the season on a liner to left in the fourth. Six of NSU's starting nine picked up hits on the day including Kincannon and Virgoe who moved their hit streaks to seven and five games respectively.

Nicholls starter Hannah Haydel (12-8) drew the loss, allowing seven hits and six runs in 4 1-3 innings pitched. Shortstop Brooke Morris and right fielder Jessica Taylor recorded the Colonels only two hits.

The Lady Demons and Colonels will play two on Sunday with first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for noon. The opener can be heard locally on 100.7 FM KZBL and worldwide on NSUDemons.com.