It’s been 13 games and almost an entire month since the LSU softball team took the field on its home turf, but on Wednesday the Tigers will return home for a midweek matchup with Nicholls State.

No. 13 LSU (19-5) began its Southeastern Conference schedule last weekend, taking two of three games from Mississippi State, and the Tigers will look to avoid tripping up against Nicholls before hosting No. 17 Kentucky this weekend.

“We’re just looking to keep going on he path we’ve been going on and be more consistent with our offense and our pitching and our defense,” said LSU coach Beth Torina.

At practice on Tuesday, Torina didn’t comment on who would step into the pitching circle for the Tigers on Wednesday, but whoever starts the game will have the opportunity to pitch the entire game, she said.

Torina said she’s not keen on utilizing multiple pitchers in games, regardless of the opponent. Instead, Torina wants to maintain the same formula used in the Tigers’ opening weekend success against Mississippi State.

That formula consisted of dominant pitching and power from the plate, which Torina said is the main thing she’s looking for the team to continue against Nicholls.

“We just have to play like we know we can,” said LSU junior infielder Allison Falcon. “We just have to come out and be ourselves and not try to do too much.”

Nicholls comes into Wednesday’s game having lost two of three against Lamar to open its Southland Conference schedule.

Nicholls is definitely not a top-25 matchup like the looming weekend series with Kentucky, but Torina said a battle for state pride gives the Tigers all the motivation needed to get up for the midweek game.

“Every time we take the field we want to prove who we are versus Nicholls, McNeese or Alabama,” Torina said. “Whoever it is, we want to prove that we’re the best in the SEC and the state of Louisiana and everywhere.”