NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State chipped away at Incarnate Word starter Joanna Valencia on Friday before the Lady Demons eventually broke through for an 8-2 win.

NSU (15-23-1, 5-8 SLC) scored two runs in the first three innings before a four-run frame smashed a 2-2 tie and allowed the Lady Demons to pull away for the series-opening win.

After a junior Hailee Rhodes double RBI untied the game, three runs scored on a junior Sidney Salmans double for a 6-2 edge. Rhodes (2-for-3) and freshman pinch runner Madelyn Matt (subbed after freshman Emma Hawthorne singled) scored on Salmans' hit, then Salmans scored on a UIW throwing error that landed in the visitor dugout.

"Getting win in the first game gives a lot of momentum and confidence heading into (Saturday's noon doubleheader," said Salmans, who tied her career high with three hits to pair with two runs and two RBIs. "I was trying to swing at good pitches and ultimately hit something on the left side of the field on the ground to move my runners over.

"We were aggressive on the base paths and tried to make the defense work."

That defense committed four errors as NSU aggressively took extra bases on hits and stole three bases.

In the second inning, Brittney Jones stole second to force a throw from catcher Christy Trevino. UIW committed an error in trying to cut the throw, and Jordan Rains scurried home for a 1-0 edge.

Senior Kellye Kincannon drove in Salmans with a third-inning double to push NSU's edge to 2-0.

But the Cardinals answered with a Mikaela Flores two-run home run in the fourth inning to tie the game 2-2.

Sophomore pitcher Mikayla Brown said NSU scoring four runs in the bottom half of that inning was key.

"It makes me feel a lot better mentally and physically," Brown said. "It helps me relax and allows me to throw the ball like I can.

"I was just trying to adjust. After the home run, I was thinking I wasn't going to give them another run, and I knew we'd come back and score some runs."

Brown (9-10) allowed just three hits in the win, her fifth in her last six starts. She struck out six and walked two in the victory.

UIW's Valencia (4-6) allowed eight runs (six earned) on eight hits and walks in six innings.