NSU Hosts Pitcher's Camp on Sept. 17

NATCHITOCHES ---- Before the kick-off of the fall season, the Northwestern State University softball team will give teen-aged girls the opportunity to develop their skills with the Southland Conference's reigning top pitching staff as they host the Donald Pickett Fall Pitching Camp Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Lady Demon Diamond Complex.

NSU softball will welcome all young women enrolled in 8th through 12th grades. The one-day pitching camp will last from noon to 2 p.m. The cost for each participant is $40 and advance registration is required.

Camps will be instructed by Pickett, NSU's head coach, pitching coach Caitlin Noble and assistant coach Stacie Pestrak, along with current Northwestern State Lady Demon players. The Lady Demon coaching staff is beginning its fourth year at NSU.

Pitchers must bring their own catcher but there will be no cost for catchers attending. Each player must bring her own glove as well as wear clothing and shoes suitable for the outdoors.

The NSU pitching staff closed last season as the No. 1 rotation in the conference with a 2.09 team earned run average and 421 strikeouts. All three starters ranked among the top 10 league pitchers including current senior Kelee Grimes who led the Southland with her 1.40 earned run average, ranking 18th nationally.

The Lady Demons are coming off their most successful season since 2005, as they finished with an overall 32-25 record, the first 30-win season under Pickett, and a SLC postseason tournament appearance.

For more general information or to register, email Caitlin Noble at noblec@nsula.edu or call 318-357-6009.

The following weekend, the Lady Demons will open the 2011 "Fall Ball" season with a road doubleheader, visiting former NSU Demon and softball coach Glenn Moore and his Baylor Bears after they capped last season with a strong showing in the NCAA Women's College World Series.

One week later, NSU will return home for one of two home meetings, hosting Bossier Parish Community College Oct. 2 at 2 and 4 p.m. before wrapping up the fall play against on Oct.15 against Louisiana Tech at 10 a.m. and LSU-Eunice at 3 p.m.