CYPRESS, La. (Interstat) — The Northwestern State Demons erupted for six runs in a chaotic bottom of the sixth inning to erase a five-run deficit and then held off a furious New Orleans rally to secure a 6-5 victory over the Privateers in a Southland Conference baseball game Sunday evening at H. Alvin Brown–C. C. Stroud Field.

The comeback gave the Demons (15-9, 2-1 Southland) the series win after the teams split the first two games of the weekend set. New Orleans fell to 10-16 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

For five innings, the game was dominated by starting pitchers. New Orleans right-hander Riley Marcotte was flawless, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning. He had allowed just one baserunner, a hit-by-pitch, and struck out five. His counterpart, Northwestern State’s Trent Hillen, was nearly as effective, scattering six hits and keeping the Privateers off the scoreboard.

The stalemate broke dramatically in the sixth. Marcotte allowed a leadoff double to Cole Menard, ending his no-hit bid. After a groundout advanced Menard to third, Marcotte was lifted for reliever Lycette, who promptly loaded the bases with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. A bases-loaded walk to Samuel McAloose forced in the Demons’ first run, ending the shutout.

Sebastian Huerta then delivered the pivotal blow, a two-run single to right center that scored two more and cut the deficit to 5-3. Zach White followed with an RBI double, making it a one-run game. After a pitching change brought in Luke Hymel for New Orleans, Cole Ardoin tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Brooks Leonard completed the stunning reversal with an RBI single to give Northwestern State its first lead at 6-5.

The Demons sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning, scoring all six runs on four hits, three walks, and a hit batter.

New Orleans responded immediately in the top of the seventh, battering Hillen and reliever Wesley Marien for five consecutive hits to start the frame. RBI singles from Smith and Kruise Newman, along with a run-scoring infield single by Josh Hoffmann, plated three runs to tie the game at 8-8. A sacrifice fly by Valentin gave the Privateers a brief 9-8 lead.

Northwestern State clawed back in the bottom of the seventh. Newman struck again for New Orleans, lacing an RBI double in the eighth to tie the game at 9-9, setting the stage for the final drama.

In the bottom of the eighth, facing Hymel, the Demons mounted the winning rally. Leonard singled and later scored the decisive run on a fielding error.

Hymel was credited with the win in relief for Northwestern State, while Marien took the loss for New Orleans. Lucas Harrington earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning, striking out the final batter.

The most important part of the game was unequivocally the bottom of the sixth inning. It transformed a quiet pitcher’s duel into a back-and-forth offensive struggle, saw Northwestern State bat entirely around to erase a significant deficit, and ultimately provided the necessary runs that, despite New Orleans’ forceful answer, formed the foundation of the Demons’ victory. The inning shifted all momentum and defined the contest.