THIBODAUX – Following a remarkable late-inning win over the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Thursday night, the Nicholls State University softball team will be hoping to build off that momentum as they head to the University of Central Arkansas for a crucial three-game set in Southland Conference play. Saturday's doubleheader at Farris Field is set for 11 a.m.

Nicholls (9-20, 2-9 SLC) closed out March in a big way on Thursday by knocking off ULM, who came into the contest with a seven-game winning streak. Although the Colonels were led on offense by Lauren Batiz (three hits, three RBIs), Megan Gaspard (three hits, three runs) and Tori Lay (two RBIs); it was freshman Kat Angeles who delivered the game-winning two-run home run in the top of the eighth.

With her 3-for-4 performance at the plate, Batiz raised her average to .326 on the year. Ashley Ray added a hit and sits at .314 and still leads the Colonels in RBIs (24) while ranking second in the Southland Conference in home runs (7). At the lead-off spot, Gaspard leads the squad with 20 runs and six stolen bases.

Carlee Winklemann notched her second win of the season on Thursday with two innings of solid work out of the bullpen. Winklemann held ULM, who came into the game with a team .305 batting average, to no hits while striking out two. Bennett, who threw three innings of relief, still paces the staff with five wins and a 2.68 ERA.

While the Colonels rank near the middle of the Southland Conference in hitting and pitching, their fielding continues to be their downfall as they rank last in the conference with a .939 fielding percentage. Nicholls was charged with two errors against ULM which led to one run; however, the Colonels were able to generate enough offense for the comeback victory.

Central Arkansas (14-20, 4-8 SLC) will also be striving to stay in post-season contention as the Bears sit 1.5 games out of the sixth spot. UCA is coming off a doubleheader sweep on Wednesday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

As a team, UCA is second in conference with a .282 batting average, thanks in part to the Southland's top hitter, Melanie Bryant. Bryant leads the SLC with a .467 average and 30 RBIs. Also leading the Bears is Kasey Britt, who is fifth in batting (.379) and leads the conference with 14 doubles.

The Bears' pitching staff holds a collective 2.83 ERA, headed by Kelsie Armstrong with 2.07 ERA. Armstrong has been one of the SLC's top pitchers this season, leading in strikeouts (131), innings pitched (148.2) and complete games (17).

First pitch on Saturday at Farris Field is scheduled for 11 a.m.