NACOGDOCHES -- Northwestern State softball fans got an early taste of what Southland Conference play would be like when the Lady Demons topped Stephen F. Austin in two close games in the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission's Lady Demon Classic in February.
 
Now NSU (21-11, 9-3 SLC) heads to Nacogdoches to finish the non-conference series at SFA 19-14, 7-5 SLC) on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
 
The series doesn't count toward the SLC record, but both the Lady Demons (tied for first) and the Ladyjacks (tied for fourth) are headed toward berths in the SLC's expanded eight-team conference tournament and could meet in Lake Charles.
 
NSU coach Donald Pickett said his team learned important lessons in a 2-1 series loss to McNeese this past weekend, and he hopes his squad can regain momentum Wednesday headed into a difficult road trip to Incarnate Word.
 
"Hopefully we're able to work on some of the things we learned against McNeese and see that come out in game situations," said Pickett, whose team fell behind early in its two losses. "We want to get momentum heading into our next conference series, and we'll have to go in and play well at SFA because they're a great team.
 
"We had good games early in the year here, and we've got to be ready when we go over there."
 
NSU won the previous two games 6-5 and 4-1.
 
Freshman Cayla Jones led the way offensively with a combined four RBIs in the two wins.
 
Senior pitcher Micaela Bouvier (10-5) allowed one run in five innings of the 4-1 win and earned a save in the second win, backing up a Mikayla Brown (8-2) win.
 
SFA has won three of its first four SLC series, including 2-1 wins against Sam Houston State and Lamar in the last two weekends. Four of its five SLC losses have been by one run.
 
The matchup features the top two hitters in batting average with NSU's Jones (.446) and SFA's Bryana Novegill (.438).
 
Jones brings more pop as she leads the league in slugging (.819) and on-base percentage (.557).
 
NSU is third in runs scored (179) and second in batting average (.292), while SFA ranks fifth (151 and .269) in both categories.
 
SFA counters with the second-best staff ERA at 2.81 with NSU in third (2.86).
 
The Ladyjacks are ahead in the all-time series 60-57, and both teams have each won three series dating back to 2013.