THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University softball team will welcome preseason favorite McNeese for a three-game Southland Conference series at Swanner Field, starting Friday, March 15.

Friday's opening doubleheader has been moved up to an 11 a.m. start due to potential weather in the area later in the day. Saturday's finale is still scheduled for 12 p.m. Friday's games will be streamed on ESPN+.

Nicholls (15-12, 3-0 SLC) got off to a perfect start in league play with a sweep at Northwestern State. Pitcher Audrey McNeill threw a pair of shutouts in the series and was named Southland Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. In the doubleheader loss against Ole Miss on Wednesday, McNeill extended her shutout innings streak with three more scoreless frames before the Rebels scored five runs in the fourth. 

Despite the midweek setbacks, the Colonels will look to remain atop the Southland standings against the defending champion Cowgirls. McNeese has not played a league series yet but has been tested throughout the year with a loaded nonconference slate. With a 12-10 overall record, McNeese has had three games against Top 5 teams -- No. 1 Oklahoma and LSU, and four others against ranked teams or teams receiving votes. 

The Colonels will be aiming to end a seven-game losing streak in the series against McNeese after sweeps in the last two years. Last season in Lake Charles, the Cowgirls won the first two games 6-0 and 8-0 before hanging on for a 5-4 win in the finale.