NATCHITOCHES – Jacob Roark tossed seven scoreless innings while Mason Melotakis notched his fifth save of the season as Northwestern State won its third consecutive Southland Conference baseball series after it shut out Lamar 3-0 here Saturday afternoon.

The shutout was the second of the season, both in conference play, and the first over Lamar since a 2-0 victory on March 23, 2002 – 10 years and one day to date.

NSU improved to 9-12 overall but more importantly, kept at least a share of the conference lead by moving to 6-2 on the season. They'll go for the season sweep over the Cardinals (8-14, 1-7) on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Roark, now 2-2 on the year, had his best outing in his career as a Demon as he struck out a career-high nine batters, walked just one and gave up six hits. But it wasn't just the Roark show at Brown-Stroud Field as the Demon defense provided some electrifying defense nearly every inning to help out with the shutout.

“We've worked hard recently with Roark on getting on top of the ball and throwing the ball down in the zone,” said head coach J.P. Davis. “He was as good as he's ever been today.”

Roark was able to relax and settle in after the Demons jumped out early with single runs in both the first and second innings to go up 2-0. Drew Helenihi started things off with a lead-off single to left field. He then moved to second off a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Buckley. Helenihi would later score after he advance to third on a failed pickoff attempt and a RBI grounder by Nick Purdy.

That would be all the scoring Roark would need from his offense as he allowed just one runner to reach third base and another to reach second.

“The key was we got the lead early,” said Davis. “Main thing is I think getting those runs early allowed Roark to let the comfort settle in. Helenihi did a nice job of getting on in the first, then scoring, then we got another in the second and the third in the fifth.”

But behind Roark's superb pitching was some tremendous defense as the Demons got the Cardinals to hit into non-traditional double plays in both the first and second innings, a nice running reach for an out by Buckley in right field to end the second, a sliding nab by Helenihi in center field to end the fifth and then there was Roark's remarkable grab and throw to end the seventh.

With runners at first and third and two outs, Lamar's David Harris hit a chopper that bounced high off the front dirt and was landing off the left of the pitcher's mound. Roark made a diving grab at it, rolled over, and threw out Harris at first base while sitting down as Nick Hinojos made a nice scoop out of the dirt to get the out and preserve the shutout.

“Anytime you can succeed in two of the three phases of the game, whether it be pitching and defense or offense and pitching, you're going to win some games,” said Davis. “Our defense was great today to go along with the pitching. We made some great plays early and then Roark's play just topped it off.”

Offensively, the Demons managed to get just six hits in the contest as Helenihi and Will Watson each finished with two. Lamar had eight base knocks as Jude Vidrine and Brad Picha each had two hits.

In earning his fifth save of the season, Melotakis has placed himself in the NSU record book for saves in a single season and a career. His five this year ranks him tied for 10th with the five saves he had in 2011 while his 10 career saves has moved him into a tied for third all-time.

NSU will go for its first sweep of the season on Sunday when Andrew Adams is expected to take the mound for the Demons. The Demons have not swept a series from Lamar since the 2006 season.