CYPRESS, La. (Interstat) — Dylan Marionneaux pitched 8 1/3 strong innings and Sam Ardoin delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday as Northwestern State edged Stephen F. Austin 2-1 at H. Alvin Brown–C. C. Stroud Field.

The Demons improved to 25-18 overall while the Lumberjacks fell to 21-21. Northwestern State won the opener of the three-game series 11-8 on Friday and the teams are scheduled to play the finale Sunday.

Marionneaux allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out eight over 8 1/3 innings. He did not walk a batter and threw 101 pitches. Lucas Harrington recorded the final two outs for the win, striking out two.

Stephen F. Austin took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Julian Swift homered to left field. Swift finished 1 for 4 with the solo home run and an RBI.

The Lumberjacks’ pitching staff held Northwestern State hitless through the first three innings. Gabriel LeBlanc started for Stephen F. Austin and threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and one earned run while striking out five. However, the Demons tied the game in the bottom of the fourth.

Connor Siervo singled with one out, stole second base and scored on a double to left field by Ethan Menard. Menard went 2 for 4 with the RBI double and later singled in the ninth inning.

Elian Balmaceda relieved LeBlanc in the fifth inning and threw 3 1/3 hitless innings with four strikeouts. The game remained tied at 1-1 through the eighth inning.

Stephen F. Austin put runners on base in the top of the eighth but failed to score. With one out, Black singled and Adkisson was hit by a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, Creel struck out swinging to end the threat.

In the top of the ninth, Swift popped out and Henning walked. Harrington relieved Marionneaux and got a strikeout, then Henning advanced to second on a wild pitch before Cantua struck out swinging.

In the bottom of the ninth, Stephen F. Austin brought in Seanan Farney, who allowed a leadoff single to Menard. Menard was replaced by pinch runner Lusk. Johnson struck out swinging for the first out, then McAloose walked to put runners at first and second. Nate Vidlak relieved Farney, and White fouled out. Ardoin then singled to second base, driving in Lusk from second for the walk-off victory. McAloose advanced to second on the play.

Michael McAloose doubled and walked in four plate appearances for Northwestern State. Swift’s home run was the only extra-base hit for Stephen F. Austin.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Stephen F. Austin 5, Northwestern State 2. Interstat’s ELO system had given Northwestern State a 74.70 percent probability to win.