PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- The Northwestern State softball team gets right back on the road Tuesday for a doubleheader against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 1 p.m.
 
NSU (0-3) started its season with a three-game series at No. 10 Baylor, and the Lady Demons were more competitive during a pair of Saturday losses (8-4 and 4-1) after being no-hit that Friday.
 
Coach Donald Pickett said he hopes to see his team focused from the first pitch of Tuesday's doubleheader.
 
"We want to control our emotions better going into a series, and we want to start out more aggressive," Pickett said. "We want to be more confident from the very beginning to give ourselves a better chance to win.
 
"We started out so poorly that it was hard to get back in it even though we adjusted well and competed at a higher level Saturday."
 
The Lions (2-0) finished in the top half of the Southwestern Athletic Conference this past season, and Pickett said UAPB does have players that can challenge the Lady Demons.
 
UAPB won both games of its tournament before the rain came, topping Division II Drury, 8-4, and Alabama A&M, 1-0.
 
"They've got some players at the top of the lineup and a pitcher that are tough," Pickett said. "I hope we understand that we can't just rely on our physical ability and that we'll need to be mentally ready to play.
 
"We want to see that mentality keep growing with our approaches at the plate and with our confidence. We want to develop consistency and not have breakdowns from one inning to the next."
 
A pair of freshmen had solid performances in their first collegiate action against Baylor.
 
Second baseman Cayla Jones launched a home run to add to her 3-for-9 effort with two runs scored and two RBIs -- all team highs.
 
Pitcher E.C. Delafield posted a 3.50 ERA in six relief innings Saturday, holding Baylor to three runs on six hits. Delafield also collected a hit but made two errors in the field.
 
Pickett hopes he can see more players in different positions.
 
"If everybody is getting to play, that means we're doing well," Pickett said. "I hope that all of our pitchers can get some work if everything goes right, and we can get a lot of players some looks.
 
"But we have to be confident and be in the right frame of mind to achieve that."