NATCHITOCHES – After being shutout in the opening game, the Northwestern State bats rebounded in the second contest Friday to split on the first day of the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission's Lady Demon Classic.
 
Murray State pitcher Hannah James fended off a late NSU challenge in a 2-0 Lady Demons' loss.
 
But NSU bounced back with a season-high 12 hits to top Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10-1 in five innings.
 
The win was NSU coach Donald Pickett's 300^th victory in a Lady Demon dugout as the veteran coach is the near the beginning of his 12^th season.
 
The Lady Demons (3-3) face the same two opponents Saturday with the Golden Lions (0-7) at 11 a.m. and the Racers (5-2) scheduled at 1:30 p.m.
 
NSU 10, UAPB 1
 
The bottom half of the batting order accounted for eight of NSU's 12 hits to help the Lady Demons roll in the second portion of the doubleheader.
 
After stranding four runners (three in scoring position) in the first two innings, NSU solved UAPB starter Shakeidria Hubbard (0-6) and scored five runs each in the third and fourth innings.
 
After a Kaitlyn St. Clair (2-3) RBI double broke the seal on the scoring, Alexis Perry launched her first home run of the season, a two-run shot that gave NSU a 3-0 edge.
 
Hayley Barbazon tied a career-high with three hits (3-for-3), including an RBI single to push NSU's lead to 4-0.
 
Elise Vincent plated the final run of the frame on a fielder's choice.
 
The Lady Demons forced the run-rule into effect with five fourth-inning runs.
 
Kat Marshall belted her first career home run after Codi Vernace drew a pinch-hit walk for a 7-1 advantage. Marshall had her best game as a Lady Demon, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
 
After Keely DuBois (2-for-3) supplied her first collegiate hit and a Barbazon single loaded the bases, pinch-hitter Marissa Reed singled up the middle to widen the gap to 8-1.
 
A Cayla Jones sacrifice fly and a Barbazon run scored on one of two UAPB errors capped the scoring.
 
Barbazon is having a blazing start to the season, batting .643 (9-of-14) with six RBIs in the No. 9 hole.
 
Jensen Howell (2-1) supplied a strong pitching performance, holding the Golden Lions to one run on three hits and a walk to go with a career-high seven strikeouts.
 
UAPB scored its lone run in the fourth inning on a Felicia Drake RBI single, but the Golden Lions mustered just two other hits.
 
Murray State 2, NSU 0
 
NSU pitcher Bronte Rhoden produced her second quality start in as many outings Friday, but one mistake led to the only runs of the game.
 
Murray State's Sierra Gilmore hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to give the Racers the only offensive boost they needed.
 
Logan Braundmeier (2-for-3) singled to lead off the inning to create the multi-run opportunity.
 
Rhoden (1-1) scattered six hits and struck out three in the tough-luck loss.
 
James (3-1) escaped NSU's best offensive challenge in the sixth inning to preserve the shutout.
 
Hayley Barbazon started with a leadoff single, and a Cayla Jones single placed two runners in scoring position with one out.
 
But James had a timely strikeout and pop up to end the threat.
 
Before Barbazon's sixth-inning single, James retired 12 consecutive batters.