LAFAYETTE – The second of four sets of double midweek games for the Northwestern State baseball team begins Tuesday night, and it stands alone in that quartet.
 
The Demons start their only set of back-to-back, midweek road games at 6 p.m. Tuesday when they face UL Lafayette at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field. The two-game road swing then carries Northwestern to Tulane for a 6:30 p.m. Wednesday matchup.
 
Both games will air on ESPN+ with free streaming audio available on www.NSUDemons.com and through the Northwestern State Athletics mobile app, which can be downloaded free for both Apple and Android devices.
 
"In addition to being another opportunity to play baseball, it also comes with the idea you get to play two storied programs and two programs we have the utmost respect for," second-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. "They're going to challenge us in a much different way.  We're looking forward to learning those lessons and everything a trip like this brings to challenging ourselves and to learning a lot more about another phase in our growth and development as a baseball team."
 
The Demons (18-9) will carry plenty of momentum with them for the midweek road swing.
 
Northwestern capped a 4-0 homestand with a three-game sweep of Nicholls this past weekend. That followed a 5-2 road trip to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Grambling and New Orleans.
 
To start the road trip, the Ragin' Cajuns (14-15) will present a unique challenge to the Demon pitching staff and defense. Sixth-year Cajun head coach Matt Deggs' offense has a reputation for blending speed and power with the ability to play small ball as well.
 
"Their brand of baseball makes you be prepared for everything offensively," Bertrand said. "Your pitchers have to be able to hold runners and control the running game. You have to control the bunt game in a very special way against what they bring to the table."
 
The Cajuns average 5.5 runs per game and have swiped 48 bases in 29 games. The Demon offense has bettered those numbers, averaging 7.6 runs per game while swiping 61 bases.
 
In the second game of the road trip, Northwestern meets Tulane (17-11 entering Tuesday's game against Southern Miss) for the first time since splitting a two-game series in New Orleans on March 5-6, 2013.
 
The Green Wave have gone 1-2 against Southland Conference competition this season, defeating Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond while falling to Lamar at home and in a road game to New Orleans.
 
"Tulane brings a very different brand of baseball than what we see on a normal basis, especially the types of talent and caliber within their arms, both the starting pitching and the bullpen," Bertrand said. "Our offense looks forward to channeling the challenge of trying to solve such a deep group of quality arms."
 
Northwestern's offense features the reigning Southland Conference Hitter of the Week, senior outfielder Balin Valentine, who earned his second such career honor Monday. Valentine batted .357 with four home runs and 10 RBIs as the Demons went 4-0 this past week.
 
Northwestern is expected to start sophomore right-hander Kevin Robinson (5-0, 3.94) against UL Lafayette while junior right-hander Brandon Carter (0-0, 8.31) is likely to draw the start at Tulane.
 
UL Lafayette is expected to counter with left-hander Riley Marcotte (0-1, 3.45).
 
The busy week will not only test the Demons' road resolve but also will challenge the depth of the Northwestern roster.
 
"Five-game weeks bring an opportunity in a multitude of ways, especially on the pitcher's mound," Bertrand said. "The recent success we've had with our pitching staff on the weekend lends itself to where we haven't gotten a large volume of guys into the ball game. It also comes with the idea you want to protect guys' bodies, so maybe a day off here and there for some guys, and that comes with some at-bats and innings for other guys.
 
"You want to put yourself in the best position to win, but you also want to put your team in the best possible position to continue to learn and grow."