THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University softball team will continue its road swing with two non-conference games against in-state opponents as the Colonels face LSU-Alexandria on Tuesday (6 p.m.) before taking on Centenary on Wednesday (5 p.m.)

Nicholls (8-23) has lost its last two contests, falling to South Alabama and LSU last week. However, both opponents have notched 20 wins already this season and LSU climbed to No. 24 in the national rankings.

LSU-A, who competes at the NAIA level, heads into Tuesday's contest winners of two straight after sweeping Talladega College last weekend. The Lady Generals are 18-13 on the year and are batting .315, led by Calla Willoughby with a .376 average. In the circle, Courtney Kennedy heads the staff with a 10-9 record, a 2.93 ERA and has fanned 62 batters.

The Colonels are hitting .272 as a team, led by senior Ashley Ray (.393) and junior Ashley Bertot (.368). Ray ranks second in the Southland in batting average while Bertot is ninth. Since March 27, junior Leah Andrus has raised her batting average 62 points (.280) after driving in nine runs on nine hits.

In the circle, junior Ashton Bennett and sophomore Katie Moulder each have four wins for the Colonels. Moulder had four solid innings of work at LSU before running into trouble in the fifth, while Bennett was given the week off after her shutout victory against Texas State last Sunday.

Centenary has struggled this season, holding a 1-23 record before its doubleheader against UT-Tyler on Monday. The Ladies' lone victory came against Millsaps College on March 15, where Centenary took game one of a doubleheader, 6-3.

The Ladies are hitting .228, led by Nicole Warren with 21 hits for a .280 average. Also heading the offense is Kalyn Harris with 10 RBIs. The pitching staff posts a collective 9.35 ERA, with Lynsi Unruh recording the victory against Millsaps. Unruh has 12 starts and holds a 7.78 ERA.

Following the mid-week action, the Colonels return to Southland Conference play with a two-game set at Central Arkansas. Friday's opener in Conway, Ark. is scheduled for 6 p.m.