Demons fall in series finale at Louisiana Tech

RUSTON, La. (NSU) – The Northwestern State baseball team started slowly Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series at Louisiana Tech.

The homestanding Bulldogs, however, broke quickly from the gates and completed a three-game sweep of the Demons with a 15-5, eight-inning victory at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

For the second time in three games, the Bulldogs (16-5) scored eight runs in the first two innings, matching what they did in Friday’s series opener.

The biggest difference between Friday’s two-run series opener and Sunday’s eight-inning game was how the Demons (5-15) started the two games offensively. Unlike Friday’s game – which Northwestern State led 2-0 after a half inning, the Demons managed only one hit in the first five innings against right-hander Turner Swistak (3-0).

The Demons’ lone hit in that span was Daniel Burroway’s first-pitch solo home run in the second inning that cut the Louisiana Tech lead to 3-1.

The Bulldogs followed their three-run first by adding five more runs in the second against NSU starter Dylan Marionneaux (0-4) before fellow freshman right-hander Austin Anderson stymied the Louisiana Tech attack for the second time in a week.

Anderson, a Haughton product, spun three scoreless innings against Louisiana Tech for the second time this week, striking out three. In his two appearances against the Bulldogs, Anderson spun six scoreless innings and struck out five while scattering three hits.

Trailing 10-1 after five innings, the Demons began to solve Swistak in the sixth.

Samuel Stephenson’s leadoff infield single marked the Demons’ first hit since Burroway’s second-inning home run and opened the doors to a four-run inning where Burroway delivered a two-run double to give him a career-high three RBIs.

Balin Valentine followed with an RBI double to score Burroway before Colin Rains’ RBI single chased Swistak. Reed Smith, who took the loss in Tuesday’s game in Natchitoches, escaped further trouble to keep the Demon deficit at 10-5.

Burroway and Rains each went 2-for-4, combining for four of NSU’s seven hits.

The Demons return to action Wednesday when they travel to face former Southland Conference foe Sam Houston. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Don Sanders Stadium in Huntsville, Texas.

Louisiana Tech 15, Northwestern State 5, 8 innings

NSU      010 004 00 – 5 7 2

LT           350 024 01 – 15 19 0

W – Turner Swistak (3-0). L – Dylan Marionneaux (0-4). 2B – NSU, Daniel Burroway, Balin Valentine. LT, Cole McConnell, Jorge Corona. HR – NSU, Burroway (1). LT, Dalton Davis (4), Ethan Bates (4). Highlights: NSU, Burroway 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs; Colin Rains 2-4, RBI. LT, Kasten Furr 2-5; McConnell 3-5, 2B, 2 RBIs; Davis 5-6, HR, 4 RBIs; Bates 3-6, HR, 3 RBIs; Corona 4-5, 2 2Bs, 3 RBIs; Logan McLeod 2-4, RBI.

Records: Northwestern State 5-15; Louisiana Tech 16-5.

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