NATCHITOCHES – Sophomore pitcher Mikayla Brown threw her second consecutive three-hitter Saturday to lead Northwestern State to a 4-1 victory and a series win against Incarnate Word.

The Cardinals won the first game of Saturday's doubleheader 9-6, but Brown (10-10) pinned down UIW (8-31, 3-12 Southland Conference) in the finale for NSU's second conference series win this season.

NSU won Friday's game 8-2, starting its way to its first home series win this season.

NSU (16-24-1, 6-9 Southland Conference) climbs closer to the conference tournament picture, for which the top six teams qualify.


NSU 4, UIW 1

Brown struck out eight Cardinals to just one walk and worked around three NSU errors in the win.

Two of UIW's four runners to reach scoring position were aided by NSU's three errors, but UIW's only run (unearned) came on a third-inning error by Mikayla Sorosiak to tie the game at 1-1.

The Cardinals placed runners on first and second base in the sixth inning with one out, but Brown induced a popped bunt and recorded one of her eight strikeouts. The eight strikeouts is one shy of her career high and the third time she's struck out at least eight this season.

"It's big to hold UIW to two runs or less in both of her starts," said Pickett of Brown, who has won six of her last seven starts. "Any time you hold teams to two or less, you are in the game with a chance to win. We're really proud of her for getting those two wins, and hopefully she continues to get stronger and stronger.

"It's big to win the series for sure, but we'd like to have the sweep. We weren't ready to play the first game, we scored a lot of runs to get the lead back, but we gave it right back. But I'm proud of our kids for getting that second win in a tight game where we got some late hits."

Kellye Kincannon helped Brown's cause by robbing Delaney Guzman of a home run, reaching over the left-field wall to make a catch.

Kincannon's sacrifice fly in the fifth inning handed NSU the lead for good (2-1), scoring Julie Rawls (walked).

NSU added two insurance runs in the sixth inning in the form of Hayley Barbazon's RBI triple and Emma Hawthorne's sacrifice fly for a 4-2 edge.

Barbazon pinch hit for Kaylee Isenburg (1-for-1), who was injured sliding into third base. Barbazon has two triples this season.

Jordan Rains (2-for-3) started the scoring in the first inning when she doubled in Sidney Salmans (leadoff single).

Rains, who recorded five hits in the series, slashed from the cleanup spot for the first time this season.

"I've just been trying not to do too much and just doing my job when needed," Rains said. "That goes a long way to relaxing, being confident, trusting the process – trusting yourself and teammates. Girls were getting on in front of me, and you just want to do your job whatever spot you are in the lineup.

"It feels good to bounce back in the second game (Saturday), and taking the series is huge even though we love those conference sweeps."

Brittney Jones (2-for-3) recorded her first multi-hit game since March 22 and snapped a four-game hitting drought.

UIW starter Bridget Stein (0-8) lasted five innings, surrendering two runs on five hits with one walk.


UIW 9, NSU 6

The Lady Demons clawed their way out of a five-run hole, but Incarnate Word responded with four runs over the last four innings to grab its sole series win.

UIW's Mikaela Flores (2-for-4, three RBIs) doubled in a fourth-inning run off reliever Hayley Barbazon to tie NSU at 6-6 before she hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning for an 8-6 edge.

NSU starter Katelyn Boles (4-11) exited in the first inning and returned in the fourth inning, allowing five runs on six hits in a total of four innings.

Boles walked three of her six batters and left the game down 1-0 in the first inning (credited with two runs), re-entering to give up three more runs on a total of six hits.

UIW tacked on three more (5-0 lead) in the second inning courtesy of an Alex Alonzo (2-for-3, three RBIs) two-RBI single and a Flores fielder's choice.

NSU's nine runs allowed is its most in conference play this season and is tied for fourth most overall this season.

The Lady Demons slugged all of its six runs in the third inning to snatch a 6-5 lead.

Sidney Salmans started the scoring with an RBI single, plating Emma Hawthorne (walked). Kaylee Isenburg singled in Salmans before a Jordan Rains double drove in Isenburg and Julie Rawls (walked).

Micayla Sorosiak clubbed a two-RBI double, scoring Rains and Brittney Jones (hit by pitch).

UIW starter Jessica Rodriguez was chased during that inning and credited with all six runs, but reliever Sarah Leal (2-12) threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings with three hits allowed in the win.