THIBODAUX – After playing in two weekend tournaments to start the season, the Nicholls softball team will make a trip to Baton Rouge, La. on Wednesday for their third matchup of the season against the Southern University Lady Jaguars. First pitch at Lady Jaguar Softball Field is set for 2:00 p.m.

Both teams come into the matchup after playing in the Houston Hilton Plaza Classic over the weekend. Nicholls (4-6) defeated Southern (1-9) in both meetings, knocking off the Lady Jaguars 10-4 and 6-3. The Colonels used 27 hits backed by complete games from Carlee Winklemann and Ashton Bennett to secure the victories.

Although Southern has only one win on the season thus far, their defeats have come against tough competition. Along with the two losses versus Nicholls, SU suffered setbacks against No. 18 Oklahoma State, No. 20 LSU, and No. 23 Houston.

Even though the Lady Jags have struggled with keeping runs off the scoreboard, their lineup has been productive, featuring four hitters who are batting around .300 or better. Shawntall Steam heads the offense, hitting .448 with three home run and seven RBIs. Kiah Williams comes in with a .417 average, one homer and four RBIs. Rounding out the leaders for SU are Audrey Phillips (.320) and Jasmone Williams (.294).

For the Colonels, newcomer Ashley Ray leads the offense after a remarkable three days in Houston. The junior transfer hit .476 over the weekend with four home runs and 10 RBIs on her way to being named Southland Player of the Week Honorable Mention. She finished the classic with four multi-hit games, one double, and scored seven runs.

Freshman Brittany Marcet also had a good weekend at the plate for the Colonels, accounting for seven hits which included a seventh-inning, game-tying single against No. 18 Oklahoma State. In Sunday's game against Southern, Marcet was 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs.

In the circle, Ashton Bennett, who also earned honorable mention for the week, paces the staff with a 2.36 ERA, two wins, and four complete games. In 32.2 innings of work so far, she has fanned 16 batters while walking 10.

First pitch for Wednesday's game is slated for 2 p.m.