THIBODAUX – The Nicholls softball team will open up their 2011 campaign this weekend with four games in the Lion Classic, hosted by Southeastern Louisiana at North Oak Park. The Colonels were originally scheduled to play in the classic on Friday against the University of Tennessee-Martin, but the game has been cancelled due to UTM's travel complications.

Nicholls, coming off their third consecutive winning season, is slated to play St. Louis University on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., and will then face the University of Missouri-Kansas City at 3 p.m. On Sunday, the Colonels wrap up the weekend with a 10 a.m. matchup against Akron followed by a contest against Jackson State at 12:30 p.m.

The 2011 squad features nine upperclassmen which includes seniors Carlee Winklemann, Tori Lay, and Whitney Roan. Winklemann returns as the Colonel's leading hurler with six wins in 55 innings pitched last season.

Second Team Preseason All-Southland selection Megan Gaspard leads the junior class after pacing the Colonel offense last year with 52 hits, 26 runs, and 16 stolen bases. Two transfers; Lauren Crane and Ashley Ray, join the Colonels after playing at Spring Hill and Louisiana Lafayette, respectively. Rounding out the juniors are Mandy Granger, Tsade Joubert, and Laine Strickland.

Five sophomores return for 2011 in Lauren Batiz, Ashton Bennett, Jackie Burri, Brittany Ezell, and Katie Holmes. Bennett is one of two players returning who hit over .300 last season.

Head coach Jenny Parsons added six freshmen for the 2011 season along with Alaina Guidry and Maddie Lock, who earned redshirts in 2010. Completing the Colonel roster are Kat Angeles, Kandace Boudreaux, Lauren Jolivette, Brittany Marcet, Megan Marcet, and Katie Moulder.

First pitch on Saturday against St. Louis is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

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