MEMPHIS – The Northwestern State pitching staff logged its first shutout of the season Sunday against Mississippi Valley State to cap a 4-1 weekend at the Mardi Gras Mambo.

Heading into this weekend's five games at the Memphis Blues City Classic, the Lady Demon (8-5) arms have done all but post shutouts this season.

The staff has held opponents to four runs or less in 12 of 13 games this season with all 12 of those opponents accounting for three earned runs or less.

A variety of arms will be key when facing a weekend in which four of five opponents average at least 4.5 runs per game. NSU opens with host Memphis at 4:30 p.m. before facing Western Illinois at 6:30 p.m.

The Lady Demons play another two games Saturday against Evansville (11:30 a.m.) and North Alabama (4:30 p.m.) before wrapping up with Northern Illinois (9 a.m.) on Sunday.

"Our pitchers have given us quality starts almost every time out, and we've had a chance to win every game we've played," said NSU coach Donald Pickett. "Samantha Guile and Jensen Howell looked as sharp as they had all season Sunday in wins against Jacksonville State and Mississippi Valley State, and we needed those strong outings from them.

"We've pitched good enough to be in almost every game, and I'm exciting to see what this staff can do going forward against more good competition this weekend."

The Demons boast two pitchers under a 1.50 ERA in the senior Guile (2-0, 1.17 ERA, 1 save) and the junior transfer Howell (4-2, 1.41 ERA).

The pair combined for three of NSU's four wins at the Mardi Gras Mambo, including Guile's shutout of the Devilettes.

Howell has asserted herself in the transition back to Division I softball. After getting a taste with 17 appearances at Louisiana Tech as a freshman, Howell won the Dudley Division II Pitcher of the Year (NJCAA) as she led LSU-Eunice to a national title.

"There's more structure here, so I knew how to go about things and what they expected having played Division I and then pitching at the JUCO level," Howell said. "It's great being part of this staff because we all have our own unique pitching personalities and all have something special within ourselves.

"Once we learn how to get that from all of us at the same time, we can put it together and dominate as one."

Howell allowed just two runs in her last two starts, both wins in complete-game outings against Houston Baptist and Jacksonville State.

The Pollock native isn't afraid of pitching with runners on, coming through in a key situation in which HBU loaded the bases with no outs with NSU holding a 5-0 lead.

Howell allowed just one run while getting out of the game, and the Lady Demons rolled from there.

"I thrive off those moments, and that was rather a big situation to get out of," Howell said. "I have more confidence in those situations because I'm relying on what I've done my whole life to get out of those situations."

Guile has also been successful with runners on, allowing earned runs in just one of her five outings, including three starts.

Sophomore Bronte Rhoden (1-2, 2.66 ERA, 1 save) has been a steady force as a starter and a reliever. Outside of a relief appearance against Houston in which she allowed three runs, Rhoden combined for six runs allowed in five other appearances, including three starts.

Junior E.C. Delafield, an All-Southland Conference selection as a utility player in 2019, is working her way back from the flu and an offseason injury.

Once Delafield regains her form which guided her to 10 wins and a 2.49 ERA, NSU should have four arms to use against opponents as they navigate three-game SLC series following the Memphis weekend.

That hasn't stopped Delafield from producing offensively as the Stonewall native has 13 RBIs and team-high two home runs in the first three weekends.