NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State softball launched three home runs, including a grand slam from Cassandra Barefield, to balance out its quality pitching as NSU downed Nicholls 7-0 and 8-0 to close out the sweep Sunday afternoon at the Lady Demon Diamond.

The three-run fifth-inning, walk-off long ball from Micayla Sorosiak in Game 2 was NSU's 63^rd dinger of the season, breaking the program record of 62 set one season ago.
"We have a lot of good hitters," seventh-year head coach Donald Pickett said. "These kids work hard. These kids put the time in and they deserve what we get. I'm really proud of them. I think they've settled in and they've been comfortable and done well this last month of the season."

NSU (28-14, 17-2 Southland) played error-free softball on the day, turning in some spectacular plays defensively, including a diving grab by Sidney Salmans in center and a stab by Game 2 starting pitcher Mikayla Brown on a ball that was hit swiftly back to the mound to highlight wins against the Colonels (24-19, 10-11 SLC).

"We were strong in all three phases," Pickett said. "We threw three shutouts. That's huge. Mikayla Brown threw two great games and Baylee Gray threw a great game in Game 1 today. On the other side of that, our defense played really well. We struggled in the midweek with a couple errors so to bounce back with three consistent games was big. We had big hits from a lot of different people."

Brown (8-2), alongside Game 1 starter Gray (4-4), combined to toss 12 innings, allowing just four hits while fanning 12 and walking one. Gray set down the final 15 batters she faced. The righty's seven strikeouts in the opener also tied her season high set on Feb. 15 at Jackson State. Meanwhile, Brown allowed just one hit across her five innings.

"It was huge to come out here in Game 1 today and throw the way we did," Pickett said. "(Gray) got ahead of hitters, she was able to keep the ball down and we made the plays behind her. Baylee was a big reason why we finished where we finished last year and we are really proud of the way she's worked to continue to help our team."

NSU pitching has not allowed a run in 24 innings, dating back to last Saturday's seventh inning against McNeese State. The Lady Demons blanked Louisiana Tech on Wednesday in Ruston and Nicholls three times over the weekend.

Salmans, Virgoe and Kellye Kincannon led off the opener with three straight singles to set the stage for Barefield's mammoth grand slam over the Outfield Club in left field. Two innings later, Virgoe clubbed a line-drive dinger that just cleared the left field fence, marking the second straight game the senior duo left the yard.

"I think that's a key to us playing well is to jump out early," Pickett said. "We seem to play really confident when we do that. Bear stepping up that first inning with those guys getting on base ahead of her and her being able to get that big hit relaxed everybody and let everyone settle in."

The Lady Demons added insurance in the sixth with some patience at the plate. Kincannon, Barefield and Brittney Jones all reached on walks. After the Colonels went to the bullpen, Natalie Landry earned her way aboard via a catcher's interference which plated Kincannon. Then, Sorosiak placed a ball perfectly down the left field line to score Kayla Boening, who pinch ran for Barefield.

Jackie Johnson (7-8) drew the loss for the Colonels, tossing six innings, allowing five hits and five runs while striking out seven and walking another.

The Lady Demons struck early again in Game 2, grabbing three in the second helped some shaky Nicholls pitching. After Natalie Landry doubled to left center, Sorosiak and Kaytie Proctor drew consecutive walks. Two batters later, Salmans singled to right field to plate Landry. Virgoe got aboard on a hit by pitch to bring in Sorosiak followed by a Kincannon walk to score Proctor.

The hit barrage continued in the third, when Jones and Landry opened the frame with singles. After Sorosiak executed a perfectly-placed sacrifice bunt, Kaytie Proctor singled to center field plating the pair.

Two innings later, Jones doubled to center and Landry singled up the middle to set the stage for Sorosiak's walk-off three-run homer.

Nicholls starter Hannah Haydel (12-9) lasted just 2 1-3 innings, giving up six hits and six runs while walking four and striking out five. Alexis Huss picked up the Colonels lone hit on a two-out single in the first.

Kincannon has reached successfully in nine straight games while Virgoe moved her reached-base streak to seven. Landry's three runs scored in Game 2 marked the first occasion since Feb. 20, 2013 that the junior has crossed the plate as many times.

Northwestern State hits the road for a non-conference matchup at ULM on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.