Being a lone senior and switching from catcher to first base would prove challenging for most, but not for Lady Colonel Nicole Stewart, who has accepted both roles in stride. As a senior, Stewart has been looked upon as a leader by her teammates, and she said at first the task proved daunting.

“It was real tough, especially in the beginning of the year, but I felt I got a lot of respect from everyone, and they all helped me out,” Stewart said. “The juniors helped me, and it wasn’t too bad after awhile. I have tried my best to be a leader and do what I thought was right.”

Thus far, Stewart leads her team with a batting average of .279, which includes hitting one home run while driving in 12.

Stewart’s fielding percentage ranks first on the squad at .981. Last season, as a catcher, Stewart recorded a batting average of .238 with no home runs and eight RBIs.

She said making the adjustment from catcher to first base was difficult, but she now feels at home at the position. Stewart credits coaches Patti Holthaus and Casey Dickson for helping her learn the position.

“I had never played any other position while I was in college,” the 21-year-old Stewart said of her move to first. “This year I couldn’t catch because of my knees, and I had to come in and take first base.

“It was kind of rough at first, and I had to work off the field on seeing the ball, but I’ve come in more confident than ever before.”

Among her many attributes, softball coach Holthaus said she finds Stewart’s versatility the most impressive.

“She has played at the catcher spot, first base and even in the outfield against Stephen F. Austin,” Holthaus said.

“Its tough when you are the only senior on a team, but I think she has done a good job.”

Before coming to Nicholls, Stewart spent two years behind the plate at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. While there, Stewart helped lead her team to a third place finish at nationals in 1998.

Stewart said her decision to attend Nicholls had to do with its location among other factors.

“The fact that it was close to my home (Destrehan) was a big reason for me coming here,” Stewart said. “Another big reason for me coming here was I wanted to play NCAA softball, and I wanted to compete with the big dogs.”

Stewart said she plans to graduate in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. After graduating, Stewart said she would like to attend graduate school and pursue a degree in computer science. In her spare time, Stewart enjoys spending time with her fianc and family.

After being a member of a team that endured its share of struggles, Stewart said she hopes she was part of a program that has begun to turn the corner.

“Last year I was the only junior, with two seniors, and I helped them out,” Stewart said. “That season we seemed to never really find out what it was (wrong with us), whereas this season we seem to have found it, but then we get lost again in what we are trying to do.

“I think this weekend (against Stephen F. Austin) we found it because we won and we really felt good about everyone and our team.”