NATCHITOCHES – A strong two-week stretch of play has Northwestern State softball trending upward just as another key Southland Conference series arrives at Demon Diamond.
 
The Demons (12-14, 2-1) return home this weekend to host McNeese (19-7, 3-0) in a three-game set that begins Friday night at 6 p.m. before concluding with a Saturday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. All three games will stream on ESPN+, with Saturday's opener also airing locally on 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches.
 
NSU enters the weekend having won seven of its past nine games, a stretch that included a conference road series victory at HCU and a second run-rule win this season against Grambling earlier in the week.
 
During the recent surge, the Demons have found their rhythm offensively, batting .311 as a team while averaging 7.0 runs and nearly eight hits per game.
 
"I think we're clicking as a team a little bit more than in the beginning and playing well together," head coach Jenny Fuller said. "Feel like we're putting the right pieces together and winning some games and gaining that momentum will be key going into this weekend."
 
A major catalyst for the offensive turnaround has been leadoff hitter JT Smith, who has sparked the Demons at the top of the lineup during the past 10 games.
 
Smith is batting .522 during that stretch with a .632 on-base percentage, leading the team with 12 hits, 12 runs scored and nine RBIs during the run.
 
"She's definitely elevated her play and done her job in the leadoff of getting on base," Fuller said. "If she does that it sets us up for some momentum going into that inning. Happy with what she's doing on that front. And I think she's a natural leader and example too. She has played at a high level, practices with intensity and focus. She's elevated our whole team with the way she plays and how she goes about preparing for games and being that true professional."
 
The Demons will face a McNeese squad that opened conference play in strong fashion, sweeping Lamar in Lake Charles last weekend while averaging 7.3 runs per game in the three-game series.
 
The Cowgirls' performance also produced both Southland Conference weekly honors.
 
Freshman pitcher Brookelyn Taylor earned Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 against Lamar, posting a 0.58 ERA in 12 innings while allowing three runs (one earned) with 13 strikeouts. The two-time weekly award winner holds a 7-2 record with a 2.93 ERA this season and ranks fifth in the conference with 46 strikeouts.
Offensively, Alexis Dibbley collected the league's Hitter of the Week award after a blistering four-game stretch in which she went 6-for-8 (.750) with a 2.250 slugging percentage. All six of her hits went for extra bases, including three home runs, as she drove in seven runs and scored six.
 
Dibbley is hitting .323 on the season, one of five McNeese regulars batting above .300. Junior outfielder Nyjah Fontenot leads the Cowgirls offensively with a .412 average, five home runs and 24 RBIs.
 
"It's huge to be able to play a team like them at home," Fuller said. "We're excited to play a team that is that competitive and has beaten some really good teams this year. I think if we play well and play together that we have a chance to beat them for sure."
 
The weekend series will also feature several themed promotions at Demon Diamond.
 
Friday's opener will serve as Greek Night and a White Out, with Greek organizations invited to attend and participate in games and giveaways throughout the night. Saturday's doubleheader will feature Bark in the Park, allowing fans to bring their leashed dogs to enjoy the day at Demon Diamond.