THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team will welcome two SEC opponents to Thibodaux as part of a loaded 2024 schedule, which features 20 games at Swanner Field.

Nicholls opens the season at LSU on Feb. 8 but then welcome the Tigers on March 26. The Colonels also host Ole Miss for a doubleheader on March 13 to kickoff a seven-game homestand. The last SEC opponent to visit Swanner Field was LSU in 2014.

Not only will the Colonels be hosting a pair of SEC programs, but Nicholls is also set for a home-and-home with perennial power Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns come to Thibodaux on Feb. 27 before Nicholls makes the return trip on April 17. 

The Colonels will take part in three tournaments before the Southland season. Following the Mardi Gras Mambo (Feb. 9-11) in Youngsville, Louisiana, the Red and Gray will play in the University of Houston's classic (Feb. 16-18) and Florida State's Dugout Club Classic (Feb. 23-25). 

"With such a young team last year, it was about building confidence," said third-year head coach Justin Lewis. "This year, we're ready to step it up a notch and our schedule shows that. We have nine games against Power 5 schools and two against UL, who certainly plays like a top notch Power 5 program, so it will help us be better prepared to compete with the top teams in our conference. We are really going to see what we're about this year."

After finishing third in the Southland last season, Nicholls begins its conference slate at Northwestern State on March 8. The first home league series will be against defending league champion McNeese on March 15. The Colonels are set for six conference series for a total of 18 games.