NACOGDOCHES, Texas — She doesn't hold a starting position, but that doesn't mean she isn't essential. Her on-field contributions primarily come in the form of pinch running, but that doesn't even begin to measure her value. 

Her name is Casey Irvin, and her role on Northwestern State's softball team is paramount. If at first it's not seen, it's certainly heard.

The visiting dugout won't be quiet for a series between Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin this weekend. A palpable buzz will be present when the Lady Demons (17-12 overall, 11-4 Southland Conference) and Lady Jacks (24-8, 15-0) square off for a three-game set beginning Saturday at 12 p.m., and that's due to Irvin's impact.

"She's very important to our team," head coach Donald Pickett said. "We can count on Casey in keeping the energy up, and it carries over to the team, and it's contagious. I'm really proud of her for embracing that role."

For most of every game, Irvin resides at the entrance of Northwestern State's dugout. If she isn't leading a cheer, she's picking up a teammate or high-fiving a coach or injecting energy that proliferates throughout the team.

"I'm hyper active, and I'm always up, and I always have a whole bunch of energy," Irvin said. "I never run out of energy until I hit the bed, and then I'm out. Other than that, I literally always have it."

While most of it comes natural, Irvin did admit that she consumes a Red Bull prior to each game. That enhances a dugout-energy machine that rarely ceases.

"I'm sure there are times she's frustrated, wanting to play, but she doesn't let that affect her on the bench during the game — doing what she does to help us win," Pickett said. "Those things don't always go noticed, but they're huge factors in a game."

Irvin's energy was present in NSU's most recent three-game set at Lamar. The Lady Demons had to rally in the series finale to take their third consecutive Southland Conference road series. 

It required each member of the lineup and three pitchers to clinch Saturday's victory. Pickett believes the collective effort from all involved could have positive reverberations going forward. 

"I think it's a huge deal," Pickett said. "That's a huge win, and every conference game counts the same. Looking back, you may look to that (Lamar) game as a huge turning point, and a huge game to win. I was really proud of the girls for staying in there and not panicking."

Pickett implemented two very different lineups whilst in Beaumont, Texas. He tinkered and adjusted, and while that's not uncommon for him to do, it's a little foreign for him to be doing it this late in the season.

"We have a lot of talented players, and we can move some players around," Pickett said. "We are just trying to find what works — trying to find lightning in a bottle."

Freshman infielder Keely Dubois was every bit that lightning against Lamar. She went 8-for-11 in the series, and is hitting a team-best .383 with nine RBIs this season.

Junior E.C. Delafield has represented NSU's most versatile player. She's hitting .356 with a pair of home runs and 19 RBIs. She also produces in the circle with a 7-2 record, a team-best 1.84 ERA in 68.1 innings pitched with 61 strikeouts. 

Freshman infielder Kat Marshall and senior outfielder Hayley Barbazon round out the Lady Demons hitting north of .300. Marshall is batting .330 with 11 RBIs, while Barbazon is hitting .323 with six RBIs. 

Stephen F. Austin encompasses six players hitting over .300, led by Shaylon Govan who's batting .440 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs. Gaby Garcia isn't too far behind, hitting .416 with a half dozen home runs and 31 RBIs. 

Kassidy Wilbur is essentially a one-man band in the pitching circle for the Lady Jacks. She has tossed 144.1 innings, compiling a record of 20-3 with a 1.07 ERA and 191 strikeouts. 

"They've got a lot more depth offensively than what they've had, and they have one of the best pitchers for them," Pickett said. "It's definitely going to be a challenge. We are just going to go in there and try and find ways to win, and I think our kids are up to it." 

Following the series against the Lady Jacks, Northwestern State dips outside of Southland Conference play for a doubleheader at Southern on Wednesday.