THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University softball team will begin its Southland Conference schedule Saturday against Lamar, taking on the Lady Cardinals in a doubleheader on Military Appreciation Day. First pitch at the Colonel Softball Complex is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The three-game series between Nicholls (7-11) and Lamar (8-11), with Sunday's finale scheduled for 1 p.m., can be listened to online on ThibodauxOnline.com.

In honor of the United States Military, the Colonels will wear military-themed uniforms and use customized softballs featuring information about the Louisiana National Guard. In addition, the Color Guard will present the colors before the game and military humvees will be parked around the field. For more information  on the Louisiana Nation Guard, please visit geauxguard.com.

The Colonels will be looking to pick of their first win of the season at home after falling in the home opener against South Alabama, 7-1. USA also defeated Nicholls earlier this week in Mobile, 8-0, to extend the Colonels' losing streak to four games.

Nicholls had only two hits in the loss to the Jaguars, dropping the team average to .218 on the year. Two players are hitting over .300 - Brittany Marcet (.306) and Leah Andrus (.302) – with the duo combining for 18 of the Colonels' 46 RBIs this season.

In the circle, the Colonels use a three-player rotation, led by senior Ashton Bennett. Bennett leads the team with a 5-4 record, 2.02 ERA and 33 strikeouts. In nine appearances, freshman Hannah Haydel has a 2-4 record, 3.87 ERA and an opponent .240 batting average. Junior Katie Moulder has pitched in seven games, posting a 0-3 record, 3.99 ERA and 15 strikeouts.

Lamar has got off to a decent start in its first season back after shutting down the program in 1987. The Lady Cardinals started off the year in exciting fashion, defeating UTSA in their first game, 3-2, on a walkoff home run. LU has won three of its last four games, including a 24-1 drubbing of Prairie View A&M in its last contest.

Candyce Carter leads LU on offense, hitting .380 with three home runs and 10 RBIs. The Lady Cardinal's top run producer has been Jenna Holland with 11 RBIs, and she also leads the team with a pair of triples.

Lamar has also used three pitchers in its rotation, headed by Tina Schulz with a 4-2 record. Schulz has a team-best 3.55 ERA and has one shutout. Shannon Millman has three wins and a 3.95 ERA, while Melissa Smith has one win of the year.

After the three-game set with Lamar, Nicholls will host Alcorn State on Tuesday at 6 p.m.