THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University softball team will hit the road for its next six conference games, starting with a doubleheader on Tuesday against McNeese State. First pitch at Cowgirl Diamond is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Both games can be listened to live on ThibodauxOnline.com, with Joe Fakier calling the play-by-play.

The Colonels (11-26, 5-7) kept their postseason hopes alive with a split against Northwestern State on Friday night. After falling 1-0 in a pitchers' duel in game one, Nicholls was able to give starter Ashton Bennett enough run support as the junior tossed a complete game, leading the Colonels' to a 5-1 victory.

Not only did Bennett lead the Colonels in the circle last week, tossing 9.2 innings with nine strikeouts and a 0.72 ERA, but she hit .500 at the plate with four hits, three runs and an RBI. On the year, she is batting .294 with seven RBIs and has a 6-8 record with a 3.27 ERA.

Also against NSU, freshman Rachel Moore belted the Colonels' 15th home run of the season, giving Nicholls a pair of late insurance runs. Friday night's victory improved the Colonels' record at home to 6-7.

While Nicholls has had success at the Colonel Softball Complex this season, the Colonels have struggled on the road, posting a 5-19 record in away/neutral games. In conference play, the Colonels have a 1-3 road record, with its lone winning coming at Stephen F. Austin.

McNeese (25-16, 8-6) has been tough at home this season, coming into the doubleheader with an 8-2 record. However, the Cowgirls have lost their last five contests, all on the road, which included a pair of conference sweeps. McNeese is currently fifth in the standings, followed by Central Arkansas and Nicholls. The Colonels trail both teams by 2.0 games.

The Cowgirls are led at the plate by Claire Terracina with a .366 batting average. Alanna DiVittorio is next at .330, and Ashley Modzelewski heads the team with 22 RBIs.

In the circle, McNeese is fourth in the SLC with a team 2.52 ERA. Tiffany Denham leads the conference with a 1.61 ERA, while posting a 9-8 record. The Cowgirls' other primary starter has been Meagan Bond, who is 15-7 and ranks third in the league with 135 strikeouts.

McNeese swept the Colonels last season, taking all three matchups in Lake Charles.