SUGAR LAND, Texas – Northwestern State rallied for five runs in the ninth Thursday, defeating Southeastern Louisiana, 5-1, and sending the Lions into the loser's bracket in Day 2 action in the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament at Constellation Field.
 
Demon (35-22) reliever Tyler Pigott (2-1) earned the win, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. He retired all five batters he faced, striking out three.
 
Southeastern (37-21) starter Josh Green (6-6) was the hard-luck loser, allowing two runs – one earned – in 8.1 innings. The senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana scattered four hits and two walks, striking out six.
 
After Green retired the side in order in the first, the Lions struck for a run and the early lead.
 
Cody Grosse led off the bottom of the first with a single to center field, advancing to second on a groundout. Grosse scored on Drew Avans' RBI single through the right side for a 1-0 lead.
 
The Lions left the bases loaded in the first and third innings before Northwestern State starter Jerry Maddox retired 13 straight batters.
 
Green cruised through eight innings, allowing just a pair of hits and two walks.
 
Leading off the ninth, Southland Conference Player of the Year David Fry doubled into the gap in left-center field. After Green struck out Tyler Smith for the first out of the inning, Fry advanced to third on a passed ball.
 
Southland Home Run Derby champ J.P. Lagreco singled up the middle to plate Fry with the tying run and chase Green from the game. The Demons greeted reliever Bryce Tassin with four consecutive singles to finish off the rally.
 
The Lions face Nicholls (27-31) in an elimination game at 9 a.m. Friday. The Colonels eliminated McNeese earlier Thursday by the score of 10-4. The winner of the morning game advances to a 4 p.m. matchup later Friday against Northwestern State and the loser is eliminated.
 
All of the Lions games in the tournament can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, and worldwide online, or through either the Radio FX or TuneIn apps. Fans can also keep up with all the action through the new ESPN+ streaming video service, live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter. Links to audio, video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
STREAMING VIDEO
Every game of the 2018 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament is scheduled for live coverage on ESPN+, marking the league's first postseason event on the new streaming service.

Viewers can take advantage of a seven-day free trial during the tournament. Once expired, subscription fees are $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. ESPN+ is available through ESPN.com and the redesigned ESPN app.

ESPN+ is the first multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company Direct-to-Consumer and International group in partnership with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN's linear TV or digital networks.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
All Times Central
  
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
9:00 AM - Game 1 - No. 3 Northwestern State 2, No. 6 McNeese 1
12:00 PM - Game 2 - No. 2 Southeastern 4, No. 7 Nicholls 2
4:00 PM - Game 3 - No. 8 New Orleans 4, No. 1 Sam Houston State 3 (10 innings)
7:00 PM - Game 4 - No. 4 Houston Baptist 14, No. 5 Central Arkansas 4 (7 innings)
 
Thursday, May 24, 2018
9:00 AM - Game 5 – Nicholls 10, McNeese 4
12:00 PM - Game 6 – Sam Houston State 4, Central Arkansas 2
4:00 PM - Game 7 – Northwestern State 5, Southeastern 1
7:00 PM - Game 8 – Houston Baptist vs. New Orleans
 
Friday, May 25, 2018
9:00 AM - Game 9 - Southeastern vs. Nicholls
12:00 PM - Game 10 - Game 8 Loser vs. Sam Houston State
4:00 PM - Game 11 – Northwestern State vs. Game 9 Winner
7:00 PM - Game 12 - Game 8 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner
 
Saturday, May 26, 2018
9:00 AM - Game 13 - Game 11 Loser vs. Game 11 Winner*#
1:00 PM - Game 14 - Game 12 Loser vs. Game 12 Winner^#
6:00 PM - Championship - Game 13 Winner vs. Game 14 Winner+
 
* GAME 13 WILL BE NECESSARY IF THE WINNER OF GAME 9 ALSO WINS GAME 11.
^ GAME 14 WILL BE NECESSARY IF THE WINNER OF GAME 10 ALSO WINS GAME 12.
# IF ONLY ONE OF THE TWO EARLY GAMES IS NECESSARY ON SATURDAY, IT WILL BE PLAYED AT 1 P.M., WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME STARTING AT 6 P.M.