NATCHITOCHES — The Northwestern State softball team returns home Wednesday. The Lady Demons, who sit at 5-2 on the season, host ULM at 5 p.m. at the Lady Demon Diamond.

When NSU takes the field Wednesday it will be only three days removed from a busy weekend. The Lady Demons went 3-2 at the South Alabama Invitational, and two of those games stretched into extra innings. 

Playing in a tournament setting where NSU had the opportunity to compete in multiple games in one day was essential for the growth of the squad. Head coach Donald Pickett is beginning to identify his team's strengths and what areas need shored up before Southland Conference play commences in a couple weeks. 

"To go out there and play and get those reps was big," Pickett said. "Hopefully we continue to get those reps under our belt and continue to grow and learn and move forward." 

Through seven games, the Lady Demons have seen contributions from nearly ever corner of their roster. Junior pitcher Jensen Howell is at the tip of the spear, as she's contributed both at the plate and in the circle.

She's batting .286, but owns an .857 slugging percentage. That's a byproduct of two home runs, two doubles and eight RBIs. 

Howell has also made three starts, one complete game, and lays claim to a 2-1 record. She has an ERA of 3.68 in 13.1 innings pitched with 16 strikeouts. 

She had a go-ahead home run in the first game of the South Alabama Invitational, and also accounted for both runs against Middle Tennessee via a two-run shot. 

Howell wasn't the only one who had an impactful home run. Fellow junior Cayla Jones stole the spotlight Sunday with a walk-off grand slam. She isn't far behind Howell with seven RBIs on the season. 

Junior E.C. Delafield is batting a smooth .400 with a pair of RBIs. She's also made one start and one relief appearance and has yet to allow a run in those eight innings pitched. 

Sophomore Bronte Rhoden rounds out the top end of the staff. She's made two starts, tossing a total of 14.1 innings pitched with a 1.95 ERA and 14 strikeouts. 

Senior Kaitlyn St. Clair boasts the team's best batting average at .417, which includes a home run. Maggie Black owns the other NSU's home run on the season. 

ULM enters Tuesday with 3-6 overall mark. The Warhawks dropped all four games at the Samford Tournament this past weekend. 

Kennedy Johnson leads the way at the plate with a .476 batting average and four RBIs. Korie Kreps and Madelyn Fletcher have .385 and .321 batting averages, respectively. 

Five different players have made a start for the Warhawks this season and four of those have made at least two starts. Gianni Hulett has twirled the most innings at 18.1, laying claim to a 2.29 ERA with 10 strikeouts. 

Following the ULM game, Northwestern State will once again hit the road for a tournament. The Lady Demons will participate in the Wooo Pig Classic in Fayetteville, Arkansas, which begins Friday with a 12:30 p.m. contest against Drake.