THIBODAUX – After opening the season with eight games on the road, the Nicholls State University softball team will host South Alabama at the Colonels Softball Complex on Tuesday for their 2012 home opener. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

On Wednesday, Nicholls (1-7) will play Alcorn State at home, with the game scheduled for 4 p.m.

The Colonels head into Tuesday's matchup on a four-game skid after going 0-for-3 over the weekend at the Quality Inn Classic, hosted by Troy University. Nicholls almost picked up a win in the opening game against Eastern Kentucky, but eventually fell in 10 innings.

Ashley Ray leads a trio of hitters batting over .300 for the Colonels, registering a .400 average after eight games. Ray is also tops with nine RBIs, while leading the Southland in home runs (4) and slugging percentage (.920). Kat Angeles has eight hits for a .381 average and Ashley Bertot is batting .321 with a conference leading five stolen bases.

In the circle, Katie Moulder, who has the Colonels' lone win, leads the staff with 3.50 ERA and is sixth in the SLC with 26 strikeouts. Against EKU on Friday, Moulder tossed all 10 innings for her second complete game. 

South Alabama (3-3) heads into the game on a two-game winning streak after defeating Southeastern Louisiana and Southern Illinois. Against SIU, the Jaguars took the game in five innings with a 16-0 victory.

USA's Alyssa Lin heads the lineup with a .545 batting average, followed by Britany Campbell at .462. On the mound, Katy Neal is 2-0 with a 0.91 ERA, while Hannah Campbell leads the staff with 22 strikeouts.

Live stats and a live audio broadcast courtesy of ThibodauxOnline.com will be available for Colonels home opener.