Friday, May 15, 2026 Beaumont, Texas (Interstat) — Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin will meet Friday in the Southland Baseball Championship at Beaumont, each seeking to extend its season and claim the conference title.

The Demons (26-24) and Lumberjacks (27-24) split a three-game series in Natchitoches, Louisiana, three weeks ago. Stephen F. Austin won the opener 11-8 on April 24, Northwestern State took the second game 2-1 on April 25, and the Lumberjacks won the finale 11-8 on April 26.

Both teams enter the tournament on positive notes. Northwestern State defeated Texas-Rio Grande Valley 6-5 on Thursday, getting a strong relief outing from Jacob LeBlanc, who threw 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out four. LeBlanc, a right-handed pitcher, has been effective in recent appearances, striking out four in 3.2 innings against McNeese on May 9 and allowing no earned runs in 1.2 innings against Stephen F. Austin on April 26.

Stephen F. Austin blanked Lamar 2-0 on Thursday behind six shutout innings from Cody Templeton. The right-hander allowed no hits, walked none and struck out five. Templeton also threw seven innings of one-run ball against McNeese on May 2, striking out eight. However, in his last start against Northwestern State on April 24, he allowed seven earned runs in 5.1 innings.

The Lumberjacks are 3-2 in their last five games, while Northwestern State has won two of its last five.

A simulation by Interstat projects a 6-3 victory for Stephen F. Austin.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT.