NATCHITOCHES – A rivalry that once was a staple of Northwestern State's baseball schedule resumes Tuesday night for the first time in more than a decade.
 
The Demons (14-9) host Centenary College (9-14) for the first time in 15 years at 6 p.m. at Brown-Stroud Field, marking the first time Northwestern and the Gents have met since Centenary transitioned from NCAA Division I to Division III.
 
The game will air on ESPN+.
 
"I can't wait to welcome those guys here," Bertrand said. "We want to be good hosts. We're preparing ourselves for a great baseball game, because of the respect we have for (Centenary head coach) Mike (Diaz) and the respect we have for (Centenary associate head coach) Cody Crowder. Mike is an incredible baseball man, and it is wonderful what he has built at Centenary over the course of time.
 
"He spent some time there when they were still Division I, which is that old Northwestern-Centenary rivalry under someone we all know, Ed McCann. He's made them a nationally known Division III baseball program. People who you respect, baseball men who respect, two great baseball teams are going to lace it up and get after it. You can't ask for anything more."
 
The resumption of the rivalry, which Northwestern leads 36-11 since 1990, comes as the Demons' first home game since a March 9 win against UIW.
 
That win was part of a 5-0 homestand that rolled into a 5-2 road trip that saw the Demons win consecutive Southland Conference series in that time.
 
"We can't wait to get back in front of our fans and all the great things that playing at home offers," said Bertrand, whose team has won nine straight games at Brown-Stroud Field. "We're exited to be able to showcase the growth, the development and the bonding that took place on that seven-game road trip. Being able to showcase that in the friendly confines of the B-Stro is something I know our guys are looking forward to."
 
In addition to returning home, the Demons will turn to a familiar face to start Tuesday's game – one that again has ties to Northwestern's opponent.
 
Sophomore right-hander Kevin Robinson (4-0, 5.25) will make his fifth start of the season against the Gents, adding to his collection of full-circle moments.
 
After starting games against the alma maters of his father (Louisiana Tech) and brother (Louisiana Christian) a season ago, Robinson will be on the mound as the Demons resume their rivalry against his hometown college.
 
"Kevin has earned every single bit of the great fortune he has been given," Bertrand said of the Shreveport native, who prepped at C.E. Byrd High School. "He deserves it. He gets to experience it against friends, against those familiar faces. That's what the game and our family atmosphere is about. How cool of a story is it because, one, Kevin has earned it and, two, I know when (pitching coach) Dan (Hlad) hands him the ball tomorrow night, he's going to be ready to go, because he understands the depth of importance of it."