THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University softball team will play its first conference road series of the season, taking on Stephen F. Austin for a two-game set. Friday's opener is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with Saturday's game set for 1 p.m.

The Colonels (4-18, 0-2) were swept by Sam Houston last weekend, falling 6-4 and 6-3 to the Bearkats, pushing their losing streak to seven games. Nicholls had a combined 16 hits in the two games, but stranded 13 runners on base.

Junior Ashton Bennett led the Colonels at the plate, going 4-for-6 with two RBIs. Bennett, who is one of four Colonels hitting over .300 on the year, also started in the circle in game two, throwing a complete game in the loss.

Senior Ashley Ray had a hit in each contest against Sam Houston to extend her hitting streak to six games. Ray currently ranks second in the Southland Conference in batting average, hitting .435 with 19 RBIs.

Sophomore Katie Moulder heads the pitching staff with three wins and a 3.66 ERA after making her 11th start in Friday's SLC opener. Moulder finished with two strikeouts on the night and is tied for eighth in conference with 50.

Stephen F. Austin (7-17, 0-2) will also be looking to snap a losing streak by knocking off the Colonels for the second time this season. The Ladyjacks were held hitless last weekend against Texas State, stretching their skid to four games. As a team, the Ladyjacks are last in conference in batting (.200), while Nicholls ranks fifth (.259).

Earlier this season in Lafayette, SFA defeated Nicholls 2-1 behind a complete-game from Angela White, who leads the staff with four wins. At the plate, Elizabeth Arina paces the offense with a .339 batting average and 14 RBIs.

Live stats will be available at geauxcolonels.com.