One month ago, Northwestern State welcomed LSU-Alexandria to Brown-Stroud Field to open the Demons’ 2023 home baseball schedule.
Plenty has changed in the 28 days since that matchup as the teams prepare to complete their two-game season series Tuesday night at 6 at Brown-Stroud Field. The game will air on ESPN+.
“I would hope so,” seventh-year head coach Bobby Barbier said of his Demons being in a better place than they were a month ago. “Just a better team, getting better as the season goes along like I hoped we would, and like I hope we are. I think both teams should be in a better spot.”
The Demons’ 5-4 Feb. 21 win showcased an NSU team that had played just three games before meeting a more seasoned Generals team that had played 13 games at that point.
Northwestern State (12-7) held off the hard-charging Generals (15-13), stranding the winning run on third base after a two-run LSUA rally in the ninth.
That started a run of four straight midweek wins for the Demons, who have seen Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week Chase Prestwich emerge as their mid-week starter.
Prestwich allowed two runs in the first three hitters of the Feb. 21 matchup before settling in to spin five solid innings and allow the Demons to rally and take the lead.
“Chase pitched his tail off, which kept us in that game when things weren’t going well,” Barbier said. “I expect the same type of game, but we’re going to treat it a little differently on the mound – more of a staff day.”
Nineteen games into the season, the Demons have not had to answer many questions regarding their pitching staff as NSU’s four starters – Prestwich and the weekend rotation of Cal Carver, Alex Makarewich and Drayton Brown – have pitched at least five innings 17 times this season.
“We used Chase on the weekend and maneuvered him to be able to use him in more conference games,” Barbier said. “How do we react when that happens? How do we react to it, because we’ve had such good starts? We can almost count on our starter being there in the fifth or sixth inning. Now, it’s a different guy pitching and a different type of deal. Hopefully, we are mature enough to handle it.”
The Demon offense has matured since the first matchup with the Generals.
Northwestern State had endured a tough opening weekend at the South Alabama Jaguar Classic ahead of the first meeting with LSUA. The Demons have picked up the offense as the season has progressed.
During the first seven games of their current homestand, the Demons are averaging more than seven runs per game and have averaged more than three extra-base hits per contest.
“You could see it coming,” Barbier said of the improving offense. “At-bats getting better, not missing those 3-1 fastballs and fouling them straight back. It’s been nice to see. Can we take it and do it every day? I’m not naïve enough to think we’re going to play well every game, but can we come with the same intensity every day? Can we bring the same focus, the same intention, the same work? Can that be done every time and with great intention? We’ve shown as a team, we’ve set a great standard for that. Now can we keep and protect that standard?”
