THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University softball team will take part in the Purple & Gold Challenge hosted by LSU this weekend, playing doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday at Tiger Park.

On Saturday, Nicholls (3-2) will take on North Dakota State (2-4) at 9:30 a.m., followed by a noon game against Memphis (1-6). The Colonels close out play on Sunday against Virginia (3-1) at 12:30 p.m. before taking on No. 10 LSU (5-1) at 3 p.m. All four games can be listened to live on ThibodauxOnline.com.

The Colonels are coming off a 9-3 win against Southern on Wednesday, which was their second victory against the Lady Jaguars this season. Brittany Marcet paved the way on offense, recording two hits with two RBIs while Ashton Bennett provided six innings of stellar work in the circle, giving up just one hit and one earned run.

After five games, Marcet has powered the Colonels at the plate, hitting a team-high .385 with a double, a home run and five RBIs. Leadoff hitter Ashley Bertot leads the team with six hits, six runs and two stolen bases, while freshman Danielle Phillips has made the most of her four hits, lacing two doubles and a grand slam for a team-high seven RBIs.

Bennett has been credited with two of the Colonels' wins, posting a 1.65 ERA with 10 strikeouts and has held opponents to a .150 batting average. Freshman Hannah Haydel earned the other victory for Nicholls, pitching a four-hitter against Jacksonville State. Katie Moulder also made a start in the circle, striking out a career-high nine but took the loss despite giving up no earned runs against St. Louis.

Following this weekend's action, Nicholls will make its 2013 home debut on Wednesday (Feb. 20) against South Alabama. First pitch at the Colonel Softball Complex is scheduled for 5 p.m.

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