Box Score NATCHITOCHES – With two outs in 10^th inning of a tie game, Edwin Gomez poked a single into right field with the bases loaded, and knocked in the run that gave the Demons a 6-5 win over New Orleans at Brown-Stroud Field in Southland Conference action.
 
The win gave NSU (29-21, 17-9) its eighth series win in nine played, and put them in a tie with Nicholls for third place in the league standings.  The Demons will try for the sweep on Sunday at 1 o'clock.  Sunday's game is Senior Day, and Northwestern State will honor its seniors in pregame festivities that will start at approximately 12:45.
 
At the start of the 10^th inning, both teams were tied at 3-3, but New Orleans (11-34, 2-24 SLC) scored on a two-run single to right field from Mitchell Alexander that scored Hezekiah Randolph and Andre Damiens.  Randolph scored on a single through the left side, and Damiens made it on an error.  Both runs were scored with two outs, and both were unearned.
 
Dugas led off the Demons' 10^th frame with a hit by pitch.  He went from first to third base on a single to right center field from Chase Daughdrill two batters later, and both base runners scored on a double to left center field by Nathan Lyons.  Back-to-back walks to Nick Heath and pinch hitter Regan Kauman loaded the bases for Gomez's walk-off single.
 
"Once again our seniors stepped up to win us the game.  Nate Lyons hit a huge two-run double, and Gomez gets the game-winner," said Demon head coach Lane Burroughs.  "They are two seniors who are playing their final series at Brown-Stroud. Both graduated on Friday and have stepped up this weekend.  
 
NSU held a 3-0 lead after the third inning, but UNO tied the game in the fifth.  The scored stay knotted until the 10^th inning.
 
Bret Underwood scored the Demons' first run in the first inning on a single to left field by Caleb Dugas.  Underwood reached on a single through the right side and stole second base.   Underwood also scored the second run on a throwing error by UNO's second baseman.  It also allowed Dugas to score.
 
The Privateers scored two runs in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly from Jonathan Santana and a single to center field from Damiens.  They tied it in the fifth frame on a single from Samuel Capielano that scored Zach Reboulet.
 
Josh Oller started on the mound for NSU and pitched 4.1 innings.  He allowed three runs on four hits and walked four batters.  Evan Tidwell relieved him in the fifth innings and pitched 2.2 scoreless frames.  Joey Parrack pitched an inning, and allowed one hit.
 
"I though Evan was good, and kept us in the game.  Joey kept us in the game, too," said Burroughs.  "Brandon Smith pitched well and kept his stuff down, buy they just got a few hits off of him. I thought our bullpen was outstanding."
 
Brandon Smith (2-2) grabbed the win with two innings pitched.  He allowed five hits gave up two unearned runs.
 
Seth Laigast (2-3) took the loss on one inning pitched, and allowed three runs on two hits and a walk.  UNO's starter was Nick Halliday, and he gave up three runs (one earned) on seven hits and a walk.
 
Gomez and Cort Brinson each had three hits in the game, and Underwood and Lyons each had two hits in the game.  Dugas, Daughdrill and Heath all added one hit.  NSU outhit the Privateers 13-11.
 
"We have to do a better job of hitting with men in scoring position," said Burroughs.  "Bottom line is that we found a way to win, and our guys showed toughness to comeback when we were left for dead. "
 
Damiens, Dixon and Alexander had two hits apiece for UNO.