SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — Joe Siervo launched two home runs and drove in five runs, including a decisive two-run shot in the ninth inning, to lift Northwestern State to a 9-8 victory over Incarnate Word in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday.

The Demons (8-7) built an early lead, survived a furious Cardinals rally and then leaned on their center fielder to secure the win in the series opener. Incarnate Word fell to 7-7.

Northwestern State struck immediately. After a bunt single by Thomas Marsala in the first inning, Siervo connected for his first homer, a two-run blast to left-center field. The Demons added two more in the third on back-to-back solo shots from J.T. Simonelli and Marsala, and a sacrifice fly from Zach White in the fourth made it 5-2.

Incarnate Word chipped away. Drake Anderson hit a solo homer in the second, and Preston Newberry added an RBI single later in the frame. The Cardinals then tied the game with a three-run eighth inning, capitalizing on a Northwestern State error. With the bases loaded, Newberry drove in a run on a fielder’s choice. After a strikeout, Colin Cymbalista cleared the bases with a two-run triple to right-center, knotting the score at 7-7.

The deadlock was short-lived. In the top of the ninth, with Simonelli on second after a single and a groundout, Siervo came to the plate against new pitcher Chase Blease. He delivered again, crushing another two-run homer to left-center to put the Demons back ahead 9-7.

The Cardinals refused to go quietly in the bottom of the ninth. A walk and a double by Anderson put runners at second and third with no outs. Ayden Alsobrooks grounded out to bring one run home, cutting the deficit to 9-8 and moving Anderson to third. But with the potential tying run 90 feet away, Northwestern State reliever Lucas Harrington induced a fielder’s choice grounder to first, where Marsala threw home to cut down Anderson. A pop foul to first base ended the game.

The most important part of the game was the back-and-forth drama of the final two innings. Incarnate Word’s three-run eighth, capped by Cymbalista’s triple, appeared to swing all momentum to the home side, erasing what had been a 7-4 Demons lead. Northwestern State’s immediate response in the ninth, spearheaded by Siervo’s second clutch homer, reclaimed the momentum and ultimately proved the difference.

Siervo finished 3 for 4 with the two homers, a double, and five RBIs. Simonelli and Marsala each had three hits and a homer for Northwestern State, which tallied 14 hits. Michael McAloose also homered.

For Incarnate Word, Newberry went 3 for 5 with two RBIs. Anderson was 2 for 4 with a homer, a double, and an RBI. Cymbalista drove in three runs. The Cardinals collected 11 hits.

On the mound, Northwestern State’s Brody Trosclair provided four innings of critical middle relief, allowing no hits and striking out six after starter Dylan Marionneaux gave up four runs over four innings. Gus McKay took the loss for Incarnate Word, allowing two runs on four hits in three innings of work.

The teams were scheduled to play the second game of the doubleheader later Friday.