NATCHITOCHES — The Northwestern State softball team returns home this weekend for a three-game set against Sam Houston. The series is scheduled to begin Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m.

The Lady Demons are looking to rediscover their early-season form. They currently own a 17-15 overall record, 11-7 in Southland Conference play, but have dropped seven of their last nine contests in conference play. The Bearkats come in at 13-24 overall and 10-8 in league action. 

The most recent three setbacks for NSU were at league-leading Stephen F. Austin. The Lady Demons were swept, but head coach Donald Pickett saw many positive takeaways from his ball club. 

"We had two bad innings in the whole series, and that was a big difference," Pickett said. "You have to give them credit. They made it happen. I think we can look back on it and know if we go over there and play our best game, we can compete with some of the best teams in our conference."

NSU showed flashes and had moments in Nacogdoches, it just couldn't string them together. That's been a growing theme through the first two-thirds of the season. 

While that inconsistency could be viewed as troublesome with just a fraction of the season left, Pickett remains confident in his team's ability to fire on all cylinders.

"We know we haven't played our best ball yet, consistently," Pickett said. "I think it's coming, and I think the girls believe in that, and that's the main thing. They are coming out here, working hard every day to try and make that happen."

Freshman infielder Keely DuBois has been consistent of late. She boasts a team-best .364 average with two doubles and nine RBIs.

DuBois was recently shifted up to the cleanup spot in the lineup, and Pickett has been impressed with she's done with the promotion. 

"Keely is a very talented player, and the big thing with Keely is having the confidence to know how good she is," Pickett said. "She's really been a lot more confident this season, and it's really starting to pay off for her, and her talents are staying to show out here."

Junior E.C. Delafield does a little bit of everything for NSU. She's hitting .333 with six doubles, two home runs and 19 RBIs, and she's also contributing in the circle.

Delafield owns a team-best 2.12 ERA in a team-high 72.2 innings pitched. She has a 7-2 record with 63 strikeouts. 

Senior outfielder Kaitlyn St. Clair's bat heated up at Stephen F Austin. She enjoyed four hits to boost her average up to .315 to go alongside four doubles, four homers and 11 RBIs. 

Freshman Kat Marshall and senior outfielder Hayley Barbazon round out the Lady Demons hitting above .300. Marshall is batting .313, while Barbazon is hitting .310. 

Brooke Malia is the lone Bearkat in that department, as she's hitting right at .300. She owns three doubles, four home runs and 13 RBIs. 

Mika Vento paces Sam Houston in the circle. She encompasses a 7-4 record a 3.18 ERA in 83.2 innings pitched with 57 strikeouts. 

"They're going to present some challenges," Pickett said. "They have some really good experienced players over there that have done some really great things during their career there." 

The Bearkats have a slight 64-59 edge in the all-time series, but the Lady Demons have gotten the better of the two recently. NSU has won five in a row in the series, including all three last season in the only Southland Conference series the two played before the COVID-19 shutdown. 

"I think both teams have a feel for each other coming in," Pickett said. "Whoever comes ready to play and executes the best is going to win those games."

Following the series with the Bearkats, Northwestern State dips out of conference play to host Louisiana Tech on Tuesday. That game is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Lady Demon Diamond.