NATCHITOCHES – If there ever was a time to play at full potential, this would be the weekend for Northwestern State to do so.
 
With just six conference games left, the Lady Demons (25-17, 7-5) host UIW with eyes focused on a home-finale sweep to not only send three seniors out on a high note but put themselves in a prime spot heading into the final two weeks of the season.
 
The three-game set with the Cardinals (13-27, 3-6) begins with a 4 p.m. doubleheader on Friday and ends on senior Saturday at 12 p.m.  Senior presentations will take place following the finale on Saturday afternoon.
 
All games can be seen at www.nsudemons.com/watch with links also available on the NSU Athletics mobile app, a free download in either the Apple or Google stores.
 
The Lady Demons currently sit in the third spot behind McNeese (10-2) and Southeastern (7-2) in the Southland Conference standings. NSU travels to Hammond in two weeks to close the regular season against the Lady Lions in a series that could decide the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.
 
The implications for that series, however, are entirely dependent on the outcome this weekend.
 
"Each game no matter the opponent is huge," head coach Donald Pickett said. "We've let some games slip away from us the last couple of weekends and we need to bounce back here at home and try and have a strong weekend. 
 
"UIW's a good team and they've done a good job over there this year of being a lot more competitive. We're going to have to come in and build off that last game against McNeese and feel confident going in after the work we've put in this week." 
 
NSU suffered two one-run losses to the league's top team before pouring on six runs in the fifth inning of game three to avoid a sweep, taking an 8-3 win into Easter break.
 
One of the takeaways from the two losses, along with the two other one-run, conference losses, was the need for more timely hitting, especially with runners on base. 
 
In the two series against Nicholls and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Lady Demons left more than 20 runners on base in three games. They left seven on in the 5-4 loss to the Colonels and 11 on in the 4-3 loss to the Islanders.
 
NSU left nine runners aboard in the first two games against McNeese this past weekend and only one in the 8-3 finale win.
 
"We were right there and competing the entire time," senior third baseman Maggie Black said. "The thing we want to really focus on is getting those timely hits. We struggled getting those hits when people were on base against McNeese and that's really going to be what sets us apart from being right there and actually winning. 
 
"We've focused a lot on pitch selection this week. Especially on those towards the outer half of the plate because those are the ones you want to drive to the opposite field to move runners. So, when we see them come it's about taking advantage of it and not letting them go."
 
Black is one of three seniors, along with Cayla Jones and Alexis Perry, who will be recognized following the series finale on Saturday after they play their final game at Lady Demon Diamond. 
 
While she along with all of her teammates will be looking for those timely hits during the series, it has been time that has flown for Black since her first year at NSU in the fall of 2018.
 
"I remember being a freshman yesterday, at least that's what it feels like," she said. "I've really tried to live in the present this season, reminding myself even on those days when it's tough that it's one of the last times I'm going to put my cleats on or warm up with my throwing partner. 
 
"It's definitely going to be an emotional weekend and I really want to get three wins. I love these girls. We've been through a lot together. They're great teammates and even better friends."