THIBODAUX – After having its last three games postponed due to weather, the Nicholls State University softball team will return to the diamond on Friday when the Colonels host Sam Houston State for their Southland Conference opener. First pitch at the Colonel Softball Complex is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Nicholls (4-16) has lost its last five outings, matching its longest skid of the season, while Sam Houston State (6-13) heads into the weekend winners of its last five. The Colonels opened up conference play last season against Sam Houston (6-13) at home and came away with a split in the two games.

As a team, Nicholls is hitting .258, led by Ashley Ray (.446), Kat Angeles (.340) and Ashley Bertot (.311). Ray heads the team with five home runs and 17 RBIs, while Bertot leads the Colonels with nine stolen bases.

Sam Houston comes into the weekend with a .251 batting average and has three players hitting over .300. Tori Benavidez leads the squad with a .356 average, followed by Kim Damian (.350) and Alyssa Coggins (.313). In the circle, Tomi Garrison paces the staff with a 3-6 record and 33 strikeouts.

Following Friday night's game, the Colonels and Bearkats will wrap up the two-game series on Saturday at noon. Live stats and an internet broadcast, courtesy of ThibodauxOnline.com, will be available for both games.