HELENA, Mont. -- A week later than anticipated, the Carroll College Fighting Saints softball team is headed to Missoula to face Montana in an exhibition doubleheader. 

"Montana is just a great in-state opportunity to play a great team," Saints coach Aaron Jackson said. "It also gives us a chance to increase the level of competition heading into the postseason run. The better pitching you face serves you well down the stretch."

Heading into the exhibition, the Saints (14-21, 7-14 Cascade Collegiate Conference) are on a five-game skid. Jackson sees the games against Montana as a chance to push his team to another level ahead of another critical weekend in the Cascade. 

"This helps us to get dialed in," Jackson said. "It's a great atmosphere to play in."

Montana (14-26, 4-5 Big Sky Conference) just completed a three-game sweep of Portland State over the weekend in Missoula. 

The games against Montana precede a weekend series against British Columbia (12-19, 8-13). The series could push the Saints closer to cementing a playoff spot. 

Carroll currently sits in the sixth and final spot in the CCC playoff standings. Wins this weekend and next would guarantee the spot, despite how their opposition finishes. 

"This weekend will go a long ways," Jackson said. 

Anna ApRoberts continues to lead the Saints in batting average, hitting .352 on the season. 

The first of the games will be considered an exhibition for Carroll, while the second one will be a scrimmage. 

The games are scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. SWX will broadcast the games.