Demons execute pitching plan, take series from HCU

NATCHITOCHES – Head coach Chris Bertrand and pitching coach Dan Hlad had a plan for how to attack Saturday’s middle game of a Southland Conference baseball series with Houston Christian.

Tyler Bryan, Aidan Newton and Caleb Bunch executed that plan and — with some timely hitting and aggressiveness from the Demon offense – lifted Northwestern State to a 5-2 victory and its first Southland home series win of the season.

“All the credit in the world to those four guys,” Bertrand said. “The ballgame hinged upon what took place on the mound. Tyler Bryan retired 12 straight batters after a leadoff hit and did not walk a single guy in his first collegiate start. When we talk about getting off to a better start and having a good opener, that’s an incredible job. Newton had a great response after giving up a run in the fifth and went through three and four (in the HCU lineup), and then Bunchy does his thing at the end.

“All the credit in the world to Dan for putting that together, and our offense found enough to get it done. We talk about complementary baseball, and when we talk about complementary baseball, it’s not always dominating in every phase, but it’s every phase picking each other up. Probably the most complementary game we’ve had.”

Bryan, who leads Northwestern State with four saves, had not been asked to pitch more than one inning since a 1 2-3-inning stint on opening weekend against Southern Illinois in February.

After Trent Baker lined his first pitch of the game to center for a single, Bryan (1-1) retired the next 12 batters he faced, striking out a career-high five.

Bryan’s scoreless start, which saw him throw 42 of his 62 pitches for strikes, set up the Demons (17-26, 8-9) as well if not better than they hoped.

“It’s just like closing but at the beginning of the game, like Dan said,” Bryan said. “They asked me to give us a good start, so I had to do my job. We knew it was going to be a staff day. Bert and Dan sat down with me and told me what the plan was. I knew I wasn’t going to go long, but I knew I had a job to do.’

As Bryan was doing his job, his offense manufactured the first two runs of the game with their legs.

Rocco Gump scored on a second-inning wild pitch by HCU starter Rye Gunter (2-1) after drawing a leadoff walk and advancing on two groundouts. An inning later, Reese Lipoma doubled the lead on another wild pitch, scoring after hitting a one-out single, taking second on a Balin Valentine walk and third on a Clay Jung fielder’s choice.

The Huskies (15-27, 6-11) nicked Newton for a run in the fifth to cut the lead in half. It took the Demons just three pitches to respond as Samuel Stephenson slammed a 2-0 pitch from Nicholas Willard out to left-center leading off the Demon fifth.

“The first two runs came with our feet, and then Sam had the big swing – credit to him for responding,” Bertrand said. “Then the last two runs of the game come on two-strike hits. We found a way to grind through at-bats. We had so many exhibits of winning characteristics, and you can’t ask for anything more when you’re in the position you’re in.”

A two-run, two-out rally that started with Lipoma’s third hit of the day – a double to left field – added to the Demons’ lead as Valentine and Clay Jung followed with RBI singles. For Valentine, it was his 10th RBI in the past three games and part of a 2-for-2 day where he reached base all four times, drawing two walks.

The four-run lead was more than enough cushion for Bunch to finish the game.

After a perfect eighth, Bunch allowed a solo home run and an infield single to start the ninth but induced a first-pitch, 6-4-3 double play to restore order before fanning Parker Edwards to secure NSU’s third straight win.

The trio of right-handers did not issue a walk and struck out eight, giving NSU its third walk-free game – the second in league play.

“Tyler Bryan is a really good arm, who we haven’t gotten to use much throughout the year,” Bunch said. “His first start of the year, he was amazing. Newton’s a guy who has been filling up the strike zone lately. Every now and then, you’re going to give up runs – it’s part of the game. For him to come back out and keep going is big.

“Executing the plan was big, and no walks is part of that. It’s been a problem we’ve had throughout the year. Now, we’ll keep going.”

The Demons will go for the sweep at 1 p.m. Sunday behind senior right-hander Dawson Flowers (1-3, 6.32), who will oppose HCU right-hander Jackson Hamilton (1-1, 9.37).

Northwestern State 5, HCU 2
HCU 000 010 001 – 2 7 2
NSU 011 010 20x – 5 7 0
W – Tyler Bryan (1-1). L – Rye Gunter (2-1). 2B – HCU, Ty Hodge. NSU, Reese Lipoma. HR – HCU, Samuel Benjamin (13). NSU, Samuel Stephenson (4). Highlights: HCU, William Jewell 2-3, RBI. NSU, Lipoma 3-4, 2B; Balin Valentine 2-2, RBI.
Records: HCU 15-27, 6-11; Northwestern State 17-26, 8-9.