THIBODAUX - The Southeastern softball team will open up Southland Conference play Tuesday with a 5 p.m. doubleheader at Nicholls State.

Southeastern (7-10) has won three of its last four heading into conference play. Southeastern head coach Pete Langlois accomplished what he wanted during the non-conference schedule by giving his newcomers an opportunity to face high quality competition, as the Lions faced six 2003 NCAA Tournament participants in its first 17 games.

Karin Smith has been the offensive leader for the Lady Lions. The junior from Puyallup, Wash. leads the team with eight home runs, 22 runs batted in, a .373 batting average and a .906 slugging percentage, while hitting safely in her last 14 games.

Smith has had plenty opportunities to drive in runs, as Sarah Gascon (.255, 3 2B, 6 BB) and Raeni Landry (2 HR, 6 RBI, team-high 13 runs) have set the table nicely for her. Teams have not had the luxury of pitching around Smith, with Becki de la Garza (.314, 3 HR, 9 RBI) and Amy Ford (.280, 4 2B, 14 hits) having both proved to be dangerous at the plate.

The Southeastern pitching staff has had a new leader emerge, as Summer Delaneuville has been impressive in her last several outings. Delaneuville (5-3, 2.41 ERA, 56 K) has won three of her last four decisions and has two shutouts to her credit.

Nicholls State (2-8) is led by 2003 All-Southland Conference pitcher Dione Meier (2-3, 1.20 ERA). The leading hitter for the Lady Colonels is Teri Cloutare, who leads the team with a .222 batting average.

Nicholls State took two of three from the Lady Lions last season in Southeastern's final series of the year.

The series will continue on Wednesday, when the two teams square off in a single game. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.