NSU escapes a bases-loaded jam to defeat Grambling State

NATCHITOCHES - Zach Krebs worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam without allowing a run in the top of the fifth inning to help spark the Northwestern State baseball team past Grambling State 11-5 Friday night in Brown-Stroud Field.

Matt Baca then led off the NSU (1-0) side of the frame with a single to right center, and was replaced by a pinch runner in Zack Costa who then stole second and advanced to third base on an error by Tigers' (0-1) catcher Jose Longoria.

Nathan Lyons walked and Tony Cornejo hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Costa.  Edwin Gomez followed that by getting hit by the pitch before he and Lyons advanced to second and third on a wild pitch.  Lyons scored on a second wild pitch. Will Watson hit a single to right center to score Gomez.

The Demons followed the three-run fifth with a six-run sixth.  Cornejo had two runs batted in and Waston added one more RBI along with Lyons.

Northwestern State added two more runs in the seventh when Cort Brinson hit a home run in his first collegiate at-bat and Costa scored on a balk by GSU's TJ Murphy.

Every Demon who was in the starting lineup reached base with Watson, Baca, and Lyons all had multi-hit games.

Joey Parrock started the game and pitched three innings allowing one run on three hits and walk.  Krebs (1-0) was the pitcher-of-record allowing one run in four innings of work.  AJ funk finished out the game with two innings with two runs.

NSU will return to action Saturday at 2 o'clock.  Robert Baker is the expected starter for the Demons.