Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MONROE – The Northwestern State baseball team swept a non-conference double header at Louisiana-Monroe by scores of 7-5 and 4-3 Saturday to give the Demons a three-game weekend series win.
 
 NSU (9-8) combined for 20 hits on the day, led by Will Watson who was five-of-eight from the plate with six runs batted in. Watson hit his first career home run in the third inning of game one.
 
“Our seniors really stepped up,” said head coach Lane Burroughs. “I really challenged our guys last night (Friday) after not pulling that game out after the way Bobby Baker pitched.
 
“The dugout had energy in both games for all 18 innings,” he said. “It was a big day and I think they accepted the challenge we laid on them last night. Couldn't be more proud of a bunch of young men than I am right now.”
 
The Demons were only able to produce two runs on five hits Friday night in a 4-2 loss to ULM (8-7) to give Baker a no-decision in a game that he pitched nine innings and allowed two runs on five hits.
 
Steven Spann (2-1) and Ashton Sivigliano (2-0) both took wins out of the bullpen. Spann worked 2.1 innings and gave up one run on two hits, and Sivigliano pitched four innings and allowed five hits and a run.  Cameron Brewer (3) recorded saves in both games.
 
“Brewer was outstanding in getting both saves today.  Spann and Sivigliano were both good,” said Burroughs.  “I think we got our sixth quality start today.”
 
Jared Dye (1-1) and Trey Brey (1-1) got the losses.  Dye pitched 0.2 innings and gave up the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.  Brey came in for 2.2 innings and allowed two hits and a run.
 
NSU opened the first game with a three-spot in the second-inning when Matt Farmer hit a single through the right side to score Matt Baca who reached on a hit by pitch.  Toby Cornejo knocked in Todd Wallace, and Cort Brinson sent Matt Burns to the plate.
 
“Matt Farmer had a great day behind the plate. He threw out three runners in the first game he's been the catcher all year,” said Burroughs. “He had a big double and game one.”
 
After Watson's home run in the third inning, NSU was up 4-1 before it allowed the Warhawks to score three straight to tie it up in the sixth inning.
 
“Will Watson had a huge day,” said Burroughs. “He had a big two-strike hit game two.”
The Demons opened the eighth frame with a Farmer double to right field and later scored on a Burns single to left field.  Burns and Brinson scored on a Watson single up the middle.
 
Northwestern State struck first in the second game as well with a single from Watson that scored Edwin Gomez who reached on an error in the third inning. 
 
Louisiana-Monroe jumped up 3-1 by the fifth inning, but NSU put up another three-spot in the seventh inning.  Watson added to his already career day with two more runs batted in. He later scored on a Wallace single.
 
A.J. Funk started game one for the Demons and worked five innings and allowed two runs on six hits.  Nick Helmstetter worked 0.2 innings and gave up two runs.
 
Zach Krebs started game two for NSU and gave up two runs on four hit in four innings pitched. 
 
Matt Burns had three hits in five at-bats with two runs scored and Cort Brinson was three-of-seven with three doubles.
 
NSU travels to Texas Christian on Tuesday at 6:30 and Wednesday at 4 o'clock.  The Demons will return home for Southeastern Louisiana on March 22.