NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State returns home this weekend to host the City of Lights Classic, welcoming Missouri State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff to the Demon Diamond for seven games over three days.
 
The Demons (5-12) will play five of the seven games in the tournament, beginning with a Friday doubleheader at 1:30 p.m. NSU is back in action Saturday starting at 12:30 p.m. before closing its weekend Sunday at 11 a.m. against UAPB.
 
Missouri State (8-6) enters the weekend riding momentum from a 3-2 upset win against No. 25 Ole Miss at the Green and Gold Classic last week in Birmingham, giving the Bears an early-season signature victory. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-6) rounds out the three-team field.
 
All-day tournament passes are available for $10 on Friday and Saturday, granting access to all three games each day. Regular ticket prices will resume for Sunday's single NSU contest against UAPB. Tickets can be purchased in advance at nsutickets.com. 
 
All games featuring NSU will stream live on ESPN+.
 
For head coach Jenny Fuller, the weekend is not just a return home for the first time in more than two weeks, it is another opportunity for growth as her team continues to search for the right combinations.
 
"We're still experimenting a little with who plays the best together out there, but I think each weekend they're getting better and learning more about themselves," Fuller said. "Even though we're struggling a little early on, I still think in the long run that playing these tough teams is going to do nothing but help us."
 
The Demons have used 15 different defensive alignments this year in 17 games, with only Britt Bourgoyne at second base starting every game at the same position.
 
One player who has found her stride in recent weeks is Hayden Andrews. The speedster transfer from Northwest Florida State has become a spark at the top of the lineup and on the base paths.
 
"Hayden has really elevated her play the past couple of weeks," Fuller said. "She's really shown us what she can do and been a stable part of our lineup. (Coach) Brad (Fuller) talks about every time that she gets on he wants to steal her and she's capable of doing that. She's fast and it's fun to watch her out there on the bases."
 
Andrews leads the team and is tied for third in the conference with eight stolen bases, including four last weekend. She reached base six times during the tournament, creating opportunities to pressure opposing defenses. She is on pace to become the first Demon since Cayla Jones in 2021 to swipe double-digit bags in a season. The program's single-season high over the past 15 years came in 2019 when Elise Vincent stole 18 bases.
 
Fuller hopes the home environment can provide a boost as conference play looms.
 
"I think this weekend is going to be a good one for us to try and build some confidence and get some momentum going into conference play," Fuller said. "We play well at home and the team is excited to play in front of the fans here so I think it's a chance to gain momentum as we head into conference, which is hard to believe is already here."
 
The weekend also features a pair of fan-friendly promotions. Dogs at the Diamond makes its debut on Friday and continues on Saturday, allowing fans to bring their leashed four-legged companions to the ballpark. Sunday's finale will include Kids Run the Bases following the game, along with a postgame autograph session with the NSU softball team.
 
For a full schedule and additional information on the 2026 City of Lights Classic, visit nsudemons.com/CityOfLightsClassic.