Four-Run Fifth Inning Pushes SFA over Northwestern State

Sunday, February 26

Sugarland, TX

2:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

3-5

Northwestern State University

3-4

Northwestern State

SFA

Four-Run Fifth Inning Pushes SFA over Northwestern State

2/26/2023 6:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Colby Jackson, SFA Student Assistant for Strategic Communications

SUGAR LAND, Texas - Stephen F. Austin defeated Northwestern State 5-4 in the Sugar Land Classic finale. 'Jacks finish the Classic 2-1 and move to 3-5, while the Demons fall to 3-4.

Northwestern started the game off hot with a lead-off triple and double, getting the early 1-0 lead on the Lumberjacks. They continued to put the 'Jacks in an early hole in the second inning when they led off the inning with two straight singles. The Demons then perfected a sacrifice bunt that allowed one to score and put runners on first and second. After another bunt moved the runners over, a groundout scored another Demon, putting the score to 3-0 Northwestern after two innings.

After two scoreless innings, the Lumberjacks turned up the heat. Hunter Prescher and Nolan Brown led off the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back singles. The red-hot Alex Rodgers came up big once again and brought Prescher in with a double down the left-field line. Clayton Loranger then brought Brown in from third with a RBI groundout to shortstop, bringing the 'Jack's deficit to one. The Lumberjack's top hitter, Peyton Parker, then put 'Jacks out front with a two-run homer to left field. At the end of five innings, the Lumberjacks finally had the lead at 4-3.

The Demons responded right back in the top of the sixth, retying the game back up at 4-4 after double followed by a RBI single. The 'Jacks had a chance to retake the lead in the bottom half of the inning when Cole Hill and Prescher both recorded singles, putting Hill on third base with only one out on the board. However, two strikeouts in a row ended any shot the 'Jacks had at scoring.

The game-winning moment came in the bottom of the seventh, when Tom Biggs kept his RBI streak alive with a single up the middle, bringing in Rodgers who singled and stole second base.

Skyler Jaco came into relief in the eighth inning and went three up, three down in his first inning on the bump. The top of the ninth came with a lot more stress for Jaco and the Lumberjacks, as the Demons recorded a single, a hit-by-pitch, and a walk to load the bases. With two outs and no room for error, Jaco brought his final better to a full 3-2 count. On his final pitch, Jaco came in clutch for the Lumberjacks and got his batter looking on strike three to win the game.

Conner Woods started on the mound for SFA and went six innings, striking out three and only allowing two walks. Colton Castilaw was given the win for the Lumberjacks after coming to pitch while the 'Jacks scored the winning run.

Rodgers, Hill, and Prescher all recorded two hits on the afternoon, with Parker picking up the biggest hit on the day and being the only Lumberjack to bring in multiple runs.

The Lumberjacks will take on another match with Northwestern, this time taking place at their home field. The 'Jacks will battle the Demons on Tuesday, February 28th at 2:00 p.m.