CORPUS CHRISTI – Mistakes in all areas of the game was the factor in Northwestern State’s baseball season came to a heartbreaking end on Thursday when the Demons were eliminated from the 2009 Southland Conference Tournament after a 9-7 loss to Southeastern Louisiana.

“It’s disappointing,” said Demon head coach J.P. Davis who wrapped up his second year at the helm with a 26-26 record.  “We made too many mistakes in the field, on the bases, pitching and hitting.  You can’t do that and expect to win the game.”

The Demons committed five errors in the game and left 10 runners on base while putting up nine hits.

But despite all the miscues, the Demons never quit even after falling behind 7-0 after two innings.

“That’s one thing about this team,” said Davis.  “We never quit.  We definitely had our chances.  Chase (Lyles) hit two balls that would’ve been out of the park last night.”

The Lions (36-21) advance to play at 9 a.m. on Friday against the loser of the Texas-San Antonio-Sam Houston State game.

SLU, which finished with 13 hits, jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead after a two-run home run by Ty Summerlin.  That lead extended to 7-0 after a five-run second.  Demon starting pitcher Jimmy Heard (7-4) was pulled after giving up those seven runs on five hits in 1-2/3 innings.

“You know, Jimmy didn’t have his best stuff today, but he battled,” said Davis.  “I couldn’t be prouder.”

Heard ends his NSU career as the school’s all-time career leader in strikeouts and innings pitched.

“When I came to Northwestern, I really didn’t have a good fastball,” said Heard.  “Coach Davis taught me how to throw one.  I owe everything to him.”

The Demons made a run in the third inning with four runs after Lion starter Ryan Boudreaux walked four batters and hit another without allowing a hit.

SLU added a run in the sixth to go up 8-4, but the Demons came back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.  Lyles hit one that looked to be heading out of the park and would’ve tied the game, but Lion centerfielder Cass Hargis made a jumping catch at the wall for the out.

But before the sixth, the Demons loaded the bases with one out.  The threat ended when Beau Snodgrass lined out to second base and Lyles was doubled off first.

In the eighth, Eric DeBlanc, who led the team at the plate by going 3-for-5, led off with a single and stole second.  But he would be left stranded after SLU reliever Ryan Collins got the next three batters out, two by strikeouts.

Dominic Gamboa added a 2-for-4 game while relief pitcher Andrew Plotkin, who relieved Heard, allowed just two runs on six hits in 5-1/3 innings.

Lion relief pitcher Josh Janway (4-2) got the win after he gave up three runs on six hits in three innings.