NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State softball team completed its weekend sweep Sunday by winning two games to finish the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission Lady Demon Classic.

The Lady Demons (8-6) topped Houston Baptist, 9-3, before run-ruling Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 10-1, in six innings.

NSU started the weekend Saturday with wins against UAPB (4-0) and HBU (8-0).

"We had some quality starts in the circle, and that set the tone for everybody," said NSU coach Donald Pickett. "We were able to jump on some teams really quickly, and we kind of held through that.

"We had some good at-bats, even though we had a couple of innings that we left runners on base that we didn't want to. All we can ask is to keep moving forward in that aspect, and we did that."

NSU 9, HBU 3

Eight different NSU players contributed RBIs as the Lady Demons tied their then-career high nine runs scored to top the Huskies for the second time this weekend.

The only player to contribute multiple RBIs was freshman Alexis Perry, whose two-RBI single in the fourth inning broke open a relatively close game and hand NSU a 7-2 edge.

The Lady Demons scored five runs in the frame to stretch a one-run lead to 8-2 and run away from the Southland Conference member in a non-conference contest.

"We worked really hard all week on staying inside the ball, making adjustments from last weekend, and it felt really comfortable playing at home," said Perry, who recorded eight RBIs on eight hits in six games this weekend.
"We had our fans come on the road, but the whole town comes out and supports us at home.

"It's a different vibe here, and we want to show that this is our home and our turf."

Other runs in the frame included a Kaitlyn St. Clair bunt single RBI, a Riley Cantrell bases-loaded walk and an E.C. Delafield RBI single.

Starting pitcher Bronte Rhoden (4-0) picked up her fourth win as she retired the first 13 HBU batters she faced.

The Huskies made noise in the fourth inning with two runs to cut NSU's lead to 3-2, but the Lady Demons responded with the five-run inning and coasted to the win.

Rhoden allowed three runs on three hits in four innings, and senior Mikayla Brown tossed three scoreless relief innings to fend off the HBU rally.

Juniors St. Clair and Hayley Barbazon each recorded a pair of hits while sophomore Cayla Jones walked three times as the top three in the batting order reached base safely seven times.

Freshman Maggie Black scored two runs and blasted her second career home run,  a solo shot in the sixth inning.
 
NSU 10, UAPB 1 (5)

In the Lady Demon Classic finale, Arkansas-Pine Bluff scored in the first inning and created the only time NSU trailed all weekend, but the Lady Demons didn't trail long.

NSU scored two runs in the first inning before a seven-run spot paved the way for a five-inning win.

But moments created by non-regular starters stood out most to the crowd.

NSU pelted eight home runs this week, but none were cheered louder than freshman Marissa Reed hitting a home run in her first career collegiate at-bat in the fourth inning.

"I was really excited to be in (batter's box), and I thought I just had to take advantage of my opportunity because I don't know how many I'll get," said Reed, a Shreveport native. "When I hit it, I knew it was over.

"Our team chemistry is great, and to have everybody there at home plate being so excited for you after your first at-bat as a freshman, was great. I'm usually there in the dugout rooting them on, and they just wanted to give it back, and it was cool."

Senior Kaylee Isenburg, who is playing who final season on a torn ACL, legged out an infield single.

Freshman pitcher Madison Holmes, a Natchitoches native, hung a zero in her first collegiate work, sidestepping a walk.

Senior Kayla Roquemore, who does most of her damage as a pinch runner, sprinted to run down a ball in right field, making a catch with grace and flare.

"It's always good to get everybody in the game and have them be successful because they all work hard," Pickett said. "When they got their opportunity to step up, they were able to do that this weekend.

"Those were some awesome moments for them but also for our team. Everybody has a respect for the work that all of our players put in. It really meant a lot for everybody involved."

St. Clair went 2-for-3 with two RBIs (three RBIs total Sunday) with Black also contributing two hits (three total Sunday).

Starting pitcher E.C. Delafield (1-1) picked up her first win, shaking off the first-inning run to retire the last 10 batters she faced. Delafield allowed one run on two hits (both in the first inning) in four innings with three strikeouts.