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THIBODAUX, La. - Following a successful nonconference slate, the Nicholls State University softball team begins Southland Conference play Friday at HBU.
 
The teams start the series with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Friday and will play a single game Saturday at noon to wrap it up.
 
The Colonels head to Houston on a two-game winning streak after defeating North Texas twice last weekend to close out the North Texas Invitational. Nicholls used a late-inning 3-run home run from Amanda Gianelloni and strong pitching by Megan Landry to defeat the Mean Green in the first meeting. In the second game, pinch-hitter Kendal Daniels was the hero as she blasted a grand slam in the seventh inning for a 10-7 victory.
 
Nicholls carries an 11-7 overall record into the meeting with HBU, which is the third-best record in the Southland. The Huskies have struggled so far, posting a 2-8 mark.
 
The Colonels' pitching and hitting have been strong so far this campaign as Nicholls ranks first in earned run average (2.56) and third in batting average (.284). The offense has also pounded out a Southland-best 147 hits and 29 doubles.
 
Gianelloni and Landry pace the Colonels in both categories. Gianelloni is batting .373 and has four doubles, two triples, three home runs and 15 RBIs. In the circle, Landry sports a 7-3 record with a 2.10 ERA and 55 strikeouts.
 
HBU is 2-8 on the year after dropping a midweek contest to Texas State, 5-3. The Huskies and Colonels have one common opponent, Tulsa, and were a combined 0-4 against the Golden Hurricane.
 
Nichole Shedd leads the offense with nine hits and a .346 batting average. The Huskies have struggled in limiting teams at the plate, posting a 6.79 ERA.
 
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Nicholls will make its Swanner Field debut this Tuesday (March 13) against Mississippi Valley State. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.