NATCHITOCHES -- Senior pitcher Micaela Bouvier said she didn't have to "reteach" her body to become a successful Southland Conference pitcher again, she just had to "remind" it.
 
Coming off a second shoulder surgery in which she didn't start throwing again until January, Bouvier (7-1) has earned wins in her last five outings as Northwestern State (15-7, 3-0 SLC) heads into a difficult road series at Abilene Christian (8-12, 2-1 SLC).
 
Patrick Netherton will handle play-by-play duties for Friday's 6 p.m. opener and the first game of Saturday's noon doubleheader on the Demon Sports Network with the third game being broadcast on nsudemons.com.
 
"I just had to get back to fundamentals and basics -- not really reteaching my body but reminding it how to pitch," said Bouvier, who missed the majority of the 2017 season with a shoulder injury, which required two surgeries to fix. "Since I've been back, I make sure that I get my bullpens, but for me, less is really more.
 
"I try to stick with more quality over quantity."
 
Quality has described Bouvier's season as she's logged a 1.81 ERA in 10 appearances (eight starts). She ranks second in the SLC in wins, ERA and batting average allowed (.204).
 
After dropping her opener to Baylor (five earned runs in four innings), Bouvier has allowed two or fewer runs in each of her last nine outings.
 
The Santa Fe, Texas, native battled Texas Tech (one run in seven innings) in a no-decision before rattling off wins against Prairie View, two over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and two against Lamar.
 
Bouvier pitched a shutout in a 6-0 win against UAPB and threw four hitless innings in the series-sweeping game against Lamar.
 
"Micaela is taking confidence out there on the mound, and she really has a presence out there to go right at hitters," said NSU coach Donald Pickett. "She knows the defense and this team is behind her -- everybody has her back.
 
"She has a lot of experience despite not pitching much for the last 1.5 to 2 years, but she's pitched in some big games here. Mental toughness is the biggest key with a lot of these kids when they are out for an extended period. There are big setbacks when you're out that long, but I'm very proud of her to see her come back, continue to gain confidence and help lead this team to wins."
 
The right-hander originally had shoulder surgery before the 2017 season and mustered enough strength to pitch one month, logging an 0-2 record in nine appearances (six starts).
 
Bouvier pitched in a pair of one-run losses against Lamar in 2017 as the Cardinals swept NSU, the opposite of this season's outcome due in part to Bouvier's arm.
 
"Everyone has expectations, but really and truly, what can you expect?," said Bouvier, who has had six total surgeries. "Surgery is like taking a little piece from you, and you're never going to be 100 percent back to your old self.
 
"I try to focus on staying within myself. Pitchers try to do that no matter what is going on. When you try to get too crazy, that's when things really get crazy."
 
Bouvier's 36 career wins is 12 away from moving into NSU's top five, a feat that could be within reach if she continues on this pace. She's already in fifth place in career winning percentage (.655) with a 36-19 mark.
 
After working through three knee injuries in high school, Bouvier faced more adversity when she redshirted her freshman season with torn ligaments in her wrist.
 
But the tenacious pitcher rebounded, making the Southland Conference first team with a 14-5 mark which included a no-hitter against Lamar. NSU won the regular season conference title but fell in the SLC Tournament title game.
 
"Going through an injury, people will question 'Why me? -- and I had to figure it out during my first few knee surgeries," Bouvier said. "I had to figure out a different route mentally.
 
"I figured out that God doesn't give you anything that you can't handle. I stuck with that throughout all six of my surgeries and through a rare blood disease that hospitalized me in 2014, and I almost died. I've been through the recovery process enough to know what to expect and how things should go."
 
Bouvier faced a much less fatal type of adversity in 2016, shining at times and struggling through others during a 15-11 campaign with a 3.62 ERA.
 
She said all of her struggles as well as her triumphs have made her better.
 
"I've had high and low points, but I always came out of it knowing what I needed to do to perform better," Bouvier said. "I'm pleased with how things are going so far, but I'm definitely not getting complacent.
 
"I definitely want more and know that I can do more."
 
Bouvier was on the sidelines as a true freshman when NSU won the SLC Tournament and appeared in an NCAA Tournament.
 
NSU is one of five SLC teams who started the league season 3-0, so the road to another title will be long and arduous.
 
But a pinch of experience from players like her, junior Mikayla Brown and senior Sidney Salmans mixed with the "vibrant intensity" of a team that regularly starts eight freshmen and sophomores could be the right recipe for NSU.
 
"I'm 23 and Brown is 21, so they call us grandmas or me just 'Mawmaw,' Bouvier said with a smile. "We might feel like we're in our early 80s, but we push each other to get through it.
 
"I try not to focus on the shoulder pain, and you can't be timid because that's when you hurt yourself again. I don't think I expected that much when I started throwing again in January, but I've learned to just go out there and throw my game. What happens, happens."
 
Bouvier said recovering from her high school injuries has been the most difficult part, but mother Gina and dad Rob have played a huge role in her many comebacks.
 
"My parents have been there through every step, every recovery and every surgery," Bouvier said. "We joke that they've been 'on the bucket' since I started pitching 14 years ago, and they've been reassuring me and helping me with the little things.
 
"My coaches and players have been very supportive, and it means a lot when my defense and my hitters say they want to do well to help relieve pressure off my shoulder because they know my situation. It's very humbling to know that they are always looking out for me."