CYPRESS, La. (Interstat) — Dylan Marionneaux delivered a complete-game gem and Ethan Menard drove in four runs as Northwestern State evened its Southland Conference series with a 6-2 victory over New Orleans on Saturday evening at H. Alvin Brown–C. C. Stroud Field.

The Demons, rebounding from a one-run loss in the series opener, improved to 14-9 overall. The Privateers fell to 10-15.

The most important part of the game was Marionneaux’s command and the Demons’ decisive fifth-inning rally. After New Orleans scratched out two early runs without a hit in the first inning, Marionneaux settled in and dominated. He allowed seven hits and two earned runs while striking out six and walking one over nine innings, needing 116 pitches to finish the job.

His effort was nearly matched early by New Orleans starter Bryson Goff, who did not allow a hit through the first four innings. The game turned in the bottom of the fifth. With the score tied 2-2, Northwestern State’s offense erupted against Goff. After a walk and a bunt single, Menard broke the tie with a two-run double down the left field line. Thomas Marsala followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 5-2, chasing Goff from the game.

Menard added another RBI single in the sixth inning to cap his 3-for-5, four-RBI performance. Sam Ardoin went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Marsala drove in two runs.

New Orleans’ only sustained offense came from the middle of its order. Miles Curley launched a solo home run to deep left field in the sixth inning, finishing 2-for-4. Dylan Biddick went 3-for-4 with a double, and Evan Rogers added a hit and a walk.

Goff took the loss for the Privateers, charged with five earned runs on four hits and five walks over 4 1/3 innings. Reliever Jack Garvey provided 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief, allowing one earned run.

The Demons’ victory sets up a rubber match in the three-game series on Sunday. According to pregame projections, Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 7-3 Northwestern State win, while its ELO system gave the Demons a 58.1% probability to win.