Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. – The Northwestern State baseball team put together all phases of the game to help lead the Demons past Missouri State 11-3 Friday night.

The rubber match for the series will be played at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

NSU (6-5) had 13 hits and held the Bears (6-2) to eight on a tough start on the mound and solid bullpen work.

“This is the first time this season we've put all three phases of the game together.  We showed what kind of team we can be,” said first-year head coach Lane Burroughs. “We had some tremendous at-bats on some good arms.”

Robert Baker (2-0) took the win on six innings pitched an allowed three runs on seven hits.

“Bobby Baker gave us a quality start,” said Burroughs. “We challenged our pitchers at batting practice to start giving us quality starts, and you couldn't ask for anything better than what Baker gave us.”

Steven Spann threw two innings and gave up one hit, and Cameron Brewer worked one inning.

The Demons had an explosive ninth inning when they loaded up the bases and grabbed five runs on five hits. Matt Baca, Todd Wallace and Toby Cornejo each ripped RBI singles to aid in the inning.

Missouri State got on the board early with a two-run double to center field by Luke Voit.

NSU got on the board in the third as Will Watson notched a single up the middle and made his way around the bases, eventually scoring on a fielding error by the right fielder.

The Demons picked up three more in the fourth on a one-run double to right center by Cornejo.

Mitch Huckaby stole home and Cornejo scored on a wild pitch to round out the scoring within the inning. Cort Brinson stole home, and Cornejo scored on a wild pitch.

The Bears were only able to grab one more run in the sixth before the Demons extended their lead with two runs in the seventh.

Cornejo and Matt Baca both went two-for-five with two RBI, followed by Wallace with two hits and one RBI.

Cody Schumacher got the starting nod for the Bears and pitched two innings with only one hit.  Tyler Thompson (0-2) took the loss on four innings pitched and gave up five hits, six runs, and two walks.
 
Grant Gordon pitched two innings and allowed four hits and four runs.  Zach Merciez worked an innings with three hits and a run.

NSU returns home next Friday to host Louisiana-Monroe after a two-game series at Tulane next week.