The Natchitoches Central baseball team heads to Slidell for its first-round LHSAA Non-Select Division I playoff series starting today at 6:30 against Northshore.

The Chiefs are the 21^st seed with a 21-13 record. The Panthers, seeded 12^th, are 25-9.

The second game of the series is Friday, also at 6:30. If the teams split the first two contests, the rubber match is Saturday at noon.

The other two parish high schools have some time off, and play only one game each round of their playoff bracket

St. Mary’s won’t take the field for its playoff game until April 29 in Abbeville. The Tigers (15-9), ninth seeded in Select Division IV, visit No. 8 Vermilion Catholic (15-10).

Lakeview is the 21^st seed in Non-Select Division IV. The Gators (16-15) go to District 1-3A rival Logansport (9-12), the 12^th seed, next Thursday at 6.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Northwestern State started hot but had to hang on late in order to pick up its third Southland Conference softball road series victory of the season on Wednesday afternoon.

The Lady Demons (23-22 overall, 12-9 SLC) scored the first eight runs, starting with a four-run first, to jump out to a commanding lead. Lamar (25-10, 11-10) rallied with a four-run fifth to cut into the lead, but it was not enough to overcome NSU’s early work in a 9-6 win. That moved Northwestern ahead of Lamar into fourth place in the 10-team softball league.

Demon ace Mattison Buster tossed her 19th complete game of the season to pick up her 20th win. It is the most wins by an Northwestern pitcher since Amie Ford’s 21 tied the single-season record in 2004.

“It was definitely a roller coaster of a game,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “But we stayed the course, kept fighting, didn’t get too down about it and that ultimately led to a victory. So I’m really proud of them for sticking through that game.”

After 19 hits and 11 runs scored in the doubleheader on Tuesday, Fuller was confident the offense would maintain that same edge on Wednesday. They proved her right in the first inning.

Mckenna Rinewalt shot a double through the left side for the first hit of the game beginning a stretch of six straight Demons to reach base in the first inning. Brynn Daniel recorded her sixth hit of the series to drive in her sixth run to get NSU on the board.

Aly Delafield singled to load the bases followed by a Makynlie Jones walk and Sister Arnold two-run double to left, giving Northwestern a 4-0 lead and prompting a second Lamar pitching change in the first seven batters.

Delafield brought in two more runs in the second on a single to center and Makynlie Jones launched her third home run of the year in the fourth to give NSU a commanding 8-0 lead through three and a half innings.

“Yesterday I thought our offense looked really good,” Fuller said. “JT (Smith) was good yesterday and had some more hits today. When she can do that the rest of the lineup can take the lead from her. Think most of the lineup had a hit today and were rolling with a lot of momentum. 

“We came out with a lot of energy today and it felt like we really wanted it from the jump. Really proud of how we set the tone in the first inning and scoring often.”

After very little success against Buster the first time through the lineup, the Cardinals changed their strategy to attack early and it paid dividends.

Back-to-back singles started the fourth inning, on three total pitches, which Lamar turned into its first run. It took just nine pitches for them to score two more runs in the fifth inning, preventing the Demons from ending the game early via the run-rule for the second straight time. A two-run triple followed by a two-run home run pulled the Cardinals back within slam range at 9-5 after the fifth.

“Lamar is a really good offensive team, especially at home,” Fuller said. “But with Buster in the circle we feel confident and she is really good about getting out of situations when runners get on base. Even though they scored some in that one inning, we didn’t feel sorry for ourselves or throw ourselves a pity party, we kept rolling and finished it out.”

Three straight hits to start the sixth led to another Lamar run, but with runners at second and third and one out, Buster got a huge strikeout for out number two and a fly ball to right to strand both runners.

The Cardinals got one more hit in the seventh, but she did not advance beyond first base as Buster recovered from a fly ball out at the wall on the first pitch swinging effort from slugging catcher Makenzie Wright to get the final batter looking at strike three to end the game.

Northwestern headed south to Corpus Christi for a Friday-Saturday SLC series, and will be home for the last time this season next weekend.

The Natchitoches Lions Club, in partnership with the Natchitoches Central LEO Club, will host the 5th Annual St. Jude LEO Walk on April 16 from 4-6 p.m. at PARC Natchitoches and aims to raise awareness and support for the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Organizers said the walk supports St. Jude’s efforts to treat children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases, noting that families receiving care are not billed for treatment, travel, housing or food.

Community members are encouraged to attend and participate in the walk to show support for affected families and contribute to the cause.

Several members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity were inducted into academic honor societies as part of 2026 Honors Week at Northwestern State University.

This weekend, Daniel Gallagher, Owen Stutzman, and Owen Kennerson were recognized for their dedication to academic success.

Gallagher and Stutzmen were inducted into the Order of Omega.

It is a national organization recognizing those fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in interfraternity activities. The society encourages them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment. More than 600 Greeks have been inducted into the Mu Phi Chapter, which was founded at NSU in 1992.
Stutzman and Gallagher were also inducted into Blue Key. Additionally, Stutzman was selected to serve as Vice President of the organization.
Blue Key Honor Society, chartered at NSU in 1959, bases eligibility for membership on all-around leadership and integrity in student life, high scholastic achievement and service to others.

Kennerson was among 130 new members inducted into NSU’s chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, an honor society for first-year students.

The Northwestern State University chapter was established in 1965. For most students, Alpha Lambda Delta is a stepping-stone to additional academic, leadership and Greek honor societies.

The national honor society is for first-year college students who maintained a grade point average of 3.5 of higher their first year of college. Alpha Lambda Delta fosters lifelong academic success, scholarship opportunities and leadership training.

The Natchitoches Parish School Board moved closer to a second consecutive year of staff layoffs during its committee meeting Tuesday, as district leaders outlined a “perfect storm” of economic challenges that have created a multi-million dollar budget gap.

The discussion, held during the April 14 committee session, focused on a proposed Reduction in Force (RIF) for the 2026-2027 school year. Because the session was a committee meeting, no formal action was taken; the full board is expected to cast a definitive vote on the matter at its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21.

Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi detailed a significant financial shift triggered by two primary factors: the closure of the International Paper (IP) mill and the sudden termination of the federal “Strong” grant.

The district had built its long-term financial plan around the $14.6 million “Strong” grant, which was originally anticipated to last five years. However, due to a restructuring within the federal Department of Education, the funding was cut after only three years. Combined with the loss of ad valorem tax revenue from the IP mill, the district is now looking to eliminate approximately 25 positions.

“Had I had full knowledge of all the variables involved with the IP closure and the Strong grant… we would have been able to take care of this in one riff,” Eloi told the board. “We do not anticipate that we will have to come back to you again in a third year. We feel this will completely ‘right the ship.'”

The proposed RIF procedures follow state statutes, which require that layoffs be based on performance evaluations rather than seniority. A point of emphasis during the meeting was the role of “Master Teachers.” Under the proposed rules, if two Master Teachers have identical performance scores, a secondary “cluster evaluation” will be used as a tiebreaker before falling back on years of service.

Eloi noted that while some employees may lose their current roles, the district aims to retain as many people as possible through attrition or alternative roles.

Other Agenda Items and Board Business:

While the RIF was the primary focus of the executive report, the committee discussed several other items slated for a vote on April 21:

• NSU Lab School Agreement: Discussion on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Northwestern State University concerning the Elementary and Middle Lab Schools. The agreement aims to clarify roles and shift certain facility maintenance costs to the university.

• Bond Issuance: A resolution authorizing the issuance of $12,545,000 in General Obligation School Bonds(Series 2026). These funds, approved by voters in November, are earmarked for district-wide improvements.

• Online Payment Policy: A discussion regarding parent/guardian payments of school fees. The board is moving toward forming a committee to create a formal policy that addresses “cashless” options while ensuring accessibility for all families.

• Lease Agreements: * An agricultural lease agreement for Section 16, T7, R5 with a bid from James Wilson.

  • A cell tower lease expansion at the Goldonna school site with Everest Infrastructure Partners, which is expected to generate additional revenue.

• Monthly Informational Reports: The committee reviewed monthly updates on Personnel, Maintenance, Federal Programs, Food Service (SFS), and Sales Tax. Notably, the Sales Tax report showed a 2.1% cumulative increase over the prior year.

The School Board will convene for its regular meeting on April 21, 2026, to cast formal votes on the RIF declaration, the bond resolution, and the other pending items from the committee agenda.

The Natchitoches SWAT Team is calling on local business owners to assist in a proactive safety initiative aimed at sharpening the precision of emergency response during critical incidents.

Major Jonathan Roberts, Natchitoches SWAT Commander, issued a message to the community requesting that business owners provide updated building layouts or blueprint diagrams to the Sheriff’s Office. The effort is part of a parish-wide strategy to ensure that first responders can navigate local facilities quickly and safely should a crisis occur.

“In the event of a critical incident, having access to accurate layouts helps first responders make quicker, safer decisions to protect everyone involved,” Major Roberts stated.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office emphasized that all provided documents will be handled with strict confidentiality. The data is intended for the sole purpose of emergency tactical planning and will not be shared for non-safety reasons.

How to Assist: Business owners who wish to participate can email their blueprints or layout diagrams directly to Major Roberts at jroberts@npsheriff.net.

A two-vehicle collision on La. Hwy 6 East sent emergency responders to the scene on April 14, causing significant traffic delays near the Natchitoches city limits.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. near the intersection of Brickyard Road. Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office (NPSO) and paramedics from Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS arrived to find the roadway completely blocked by the wreckage.

Authorities confirmed that while injuries were reported, they are considered non-life-threatening.

Louisiana State Police (LSP) was called to the scene to lead the investigation into the cause of the accident. As of 7:53 p.m., NPSO officials confirmed that one lane has been reopened to traffic, though motorists should still expect delays while crews work to clear the remaining debris.

The Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival, which is going to be held on the downtown riverbank May 15-16 has released its schedule for its 29^th Festival, and as usual, it is chocked full with artists for just about every musical taste, including Jazz, R&B (of course), Country, Rock & Roll, Soul, Gospel, Folk, Blues, Zydeco and much more.  

This year’s headliner is multiplatinum Country superstar, Joe Nichols, who will appear on the main stage beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.  Preceding Nichols will be American Idol runner up and Louisiana native John Foster at 7 p.m., local and regional favorites and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame members Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs at 5:25 p.m., hit making R&B/Soul singer, Tiffany Rachal at 3:40 p.m., Natchitoches’ own Country music legend and Curb Recording artist Trini Triggs at 2:35 p.m., with the music being kicked off on the Main Stage by Zydeco legend, Gerard Delafose.  

There will be over 15 bands on three stages with the schedule for the Fleur De Lis Stage and Roque House Stage listed below.  For the first time ever there will also be a Natchitoches Original Music Showcase Stage located at Beau Jardin.  That stage will feature mostly Natchitoches artists performing their original music.

The fun begins on Friday night with Tribute to Legends night which will begin with Led Zeppelin tribute band, The Zeppelin Project at 7 p.m. featuring a faithful recreation of the super group’s hits.

Prior to the Zeppelin, will be Waterloo, the nation’s premiere ABBA tribute act will faithfully create the 70’s Swedish super group’s concert, including dancers and a lights show.  Attendees are encouraged dress up and sing along.  

As always, there will be plenty of great food and kids’ activities at this family event.  For more information and to order tickets go to http://www.natchjazzfest.com

Fleur De Lis Stage

12:00 – 1:00 Snake Doctors.   Led by grizzled veteran, Ed Huey, this Natchitoches based Doctors prescription will be an eclectic blend of Blues, Jazz, Folk, with a little Rock & Roll and R&B thrown in.  You will hear things you’ve never heard before from this entertaining group.

1:10 – 2:10 The Luke Brouillette Jazz Trio (Traditional and Modern Jazz).  Led by guitarist Luke Brouillette, this trio which includes Sammy Nix on drums and Dion Pierre on bass will play through well-loved jazz standards featuring Swing, Latin, and Bebop.  Listen and watch while these virtuosos perform some righteous jazz.  

2:20 – 3:20 Deep Water Rehab – (Classic, Southern Rock, Country, Originals & Covers).  This Winnfield-based band covering Classic & Southern Rock, Country, and even some R&B tunes.  They’ll also be performing cuts from their album of original songs which recently dropped.

3:30 – 4:30 Gumbo Delux  – (R&B/Soul). This is a high-energy Shreveport based Soul/R&B group serving up a spicy mix of covers of great songs of yesterday and today.  

4:45 – 5:45 Junior the Third – (Blues and Jazz).  This Shreveport based trio started out as raw, stripped-down Blues and has stretched into something deeper, shaped by soulful jams, old standards, and the kind of feel you can’t fake.  Pulling from the well of Delta and Hill Country blues, they built a sound that’s less about polish and more about pocket.  

6:00 – 7:00 Becky Birdwell and the Shuffle Kings (Classic Rock/R&B/Country/Gospel).  Becky and her family band has been a fixture at the festival for many years and play a crowd-pleasing mixture of classic rock, R&B, Country with some gospel thrown in.   

Roque House Stage

1:00 – 2:00 The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (Gospel/R&B/Rock/Country/Inspirational).   This Natchitoches-based Gospel/Inspiration group will perform an eclectic blend of secular and traditional gospel music which will include some Rock & Roll, Country, Rhythm & Blues and Contemporary Christian songs.  Their set includes some unique “Mash Ups” of traditional hymns with more modern secular music.  All of it, music with a message!  

2:10 – 3:10 Jenny & Kelli (Harmonious Rock, Covers, & Originals).  These popular Natchitoches songbirds play a rousing blend of songs that you know and love along with a few of their very own originals.  Every song will feature their spectacular angelic harmonies.   

3:20 – 4:20 Broken Peaces –  (Classic Rock).  This kind of a “Super Group,” made up of members of various bands who have come together to make some great high-energy music, focusing mainly on the Rock & Roll of the 70’s through the 90’s.  

4:35 – 5:35 Badd Apple – (Classic Rock/ R&B).  Led by local legend, Billy O’Con, featuring some of the finest musicians in north Louisiana, this rocking group will have everyone on their feet and dancing from the first note.  

5:50 – 6:50 Jester – (Rock and Blues).  This 3-piece high-energy band, exploding out of Bossier City is fronted by 13 year old guitar protégé and vocalist, Odin Cobb, and is fueled by the thunderous drive of a 17 year old drummer and locked in tight by a veteran bassist.  Don’t miss this highly entertaining act.  

Advance tickets may be purchased at http://www.natchjazzfest.com

By Reba Phelps

The Christmas in the Park Committee will hold a Spring community wide rummage sale and Crawfish Boil on Saturday, May 2. The rummage sale will begin at 8 am. Crawfish plates will be sold for the price of $15 per plate. You will enjoy freshly boiled crawfish and fixings. Plates will be available beginning at 4 pm. For more details call or text 318-481-3153.

Goldonna Baptist Church will hold a “Rise Up” weekend beginning at 11:30 am on Saturday, May 2. Worship will feature the Jason Lovins Band. Meals will also be provided. Casual dress. Grades 7-12 are invited. The fun will also carry over other the Sunday worship the next day at 10:30 am. For more information call Shannon Thompson at 318-623-0477.

The Goldonna Dusty Cut League has been a staple of the rural community sports scene in Natchitoches Parish for more than forty years. They will hold an “Incrediball Slow Pitch Tournament” on April 18 at the Goldonna Elementary Junior High School ball field. The Dusty Cut League has been a staple of the rural community sports scene for more than forty years. All proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the league and help cover expenses of ball season. 

The tournament entry fee is $200 with a fifty five minute time limit. The teams will have a 7/3 or 6/4 makeup. T-Shirts will be awarded for first place. Winning teams supply the umpires. The will be no alcohol allowed at the event. Contact Reagan Dupree at 318-413-7528 for more information or to register your team. 

The Goldonna Assembly of God Church is bringing back their well loved 5th Sunday Singings. They held their first one on March 29 and will continue the tradition. The next one will be held on Sunday, May 31 at 5 pm at Christian Fellowship Church located at 8609 Highway 34 in Winnfield. 

For news to share please email: Reba Phelps jreba.phelps@gmail.com

A stretch of warm and breezy spring weather is expected across Natchitoches Parish through the end of the workweek, followed by increasing rain chances and a noticeable cooldown over the weekend.

Wednesday will start mostly cloudy before skies become partly cloudy, with highs reaching the mid-80s. South winds will range from 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph at times.

Conditions warm further on Thursday, with morning clouds giving way to clearing skies and highs climbing into the upper 80s. The warm pattern continues into Friday, where partly cloudy skies will keep temperatures in the upper 80s.

Cloud cover increases Friday night into Saturday as the next system approaches. By Saturday afternoon, rain chances return with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. Highs will be slightly cooler, reaching the lower 80s.

Rain becomes more likely Saturday night, with showers and thunderstorms expected to continue into the overnight hours. Temperatures will drop significantly, falling into the lower 50s.

A cooler air mass settles in Sunday, bringing a mix of clouds and some clearing with highs only reaching the lower 70s. Overnight lows will dip into the upper 40s.

Cloudy conditions linger into Monday with highs in the lower 70s, before a gradual warm-up begins Tuesday as skies become partly cloudy and temperatures rise into the upper 70s.

Overall, residents can expect a warm and breezy lead-up to the weekend, followed by a wet and cooler pattern shift heading into Sunday and early next week.

By Courtney Freeman

The Village of Robeline has postponed their normal monthly meeting from this Thursday, April 16 until next Thursday, April 23.

The Village has also contacted construction companies for bids for road repairs funded by grants from the state.

I was happy to hear that the clinic is looking at an opening date in May. It’s been a long time coming but to hear that we’re within weeks of seeing it up and running was very exciting. It will be a wonderful addition to our community. If the pharmacy portion will stick to schedule, it should be able open after the state regulated delay of six months. Only six months hopefully, having to drive over fifteen miles for medications is quite hard on some members of our community.

North Central Louisiana’s business landscape is booming. From Shreveport’s bustling corporate hubs to Monroe’s industrial corridors and Alexandria’s rapidly growing communities, operational needs are expanding fast. Today’s businesses, schools, and events require far more than the old-school model of a passive guard sitting behind a desk. They need proactive, intelligent, and dynamic protection.

Enter Fidelis Protective Services (FPS).

Already established as a premier security powerhouse—and fully licensed across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee—FPS is officially bringing its industry-disrupting approach to the North Central Louisiana market. For organizations ready to stop settling for the status quo, FPS is delivering a level of security that actively enhances operations.

The Fidelis Difference: Elite Professionals What makes Fidelis Protective Services stand out in a crowded industry? It starts with their people. FPS doesn’t just fill shifts with warm bodies; they deploy highly trained professionals who bring discipline, rapid problem-solving, and sharp communication to the front lines. They function as a seamless extension of their clients’ brands, managing the risk so leaders can focus on what they do best.

A Full Spectrum of Protection FPS proves that exceptional security is never “cookie-cutter.” They bring an incredibly dynamic range of services to North Central Louisiana, designed to protect every facet of the community. From deploying highly trained School Resource Officers to ensure a safe, welcoming environment for local students, to providing highly discreet Personal Protection Details for executives and VIPs, FPS has the specialized expertise to provide it all.

Whether they are mapping out guest flow for a festival, managing logistics at an industrial site, or providing 24/7 corporate campus security, their leadership team builds a custom security architecture tailored specifically to your exact footprint.

Unleashing the Best: The FPS K-9 Division Perhaps the most exciting element of FPS’s arrival is their world-class K-9 Unit.

Complex, high-traffic venues require security that can adapt on the fly. In fact, FPS is trusted to provide K-9 services to the largest trauma hospital in Louisiana. They deploy specialized K-9 teams trained to navigate these high-stress environments with flawless precision. These elite teams provide real-time, highly accurate threat detection and early awareness—all while remaining completely discreet. It is an unmatched level of safety that provides incredible peace of mind without ever disrupting the patient or guest experience.

Ready to Upgrade Your Operations? The wait is over, North Central Louisiana. It is time to elevate expectations and partner with a team that takes safety as seriously as you take your business.

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Get ready to experience the magic of handcrafted wonders at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, taking place on April 18 from 9 am – 5 pm, and April 19 from 10 am – 3 pm. The festival will be held at Melrose on the Cane where attendees can immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of unique treasures crafted by talented artisans, savor a variety of delicious foods, sip on beer, wine, and other refreshing beverages such as fresh squeezed lemonade. Homemade ice cream returns to the festival this year as a long standing fan favorite as well as iron and wood works for your home and garden. We are also excited to feature local authors throughout the festival, along with live demonstrations that highlight traditional crafts such as basket weaving and quilting. These interactive experiences offer guests a chance to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the area.

Additionally, Randolph “Randy” Deaton will be presenting a special talk on Clementine Hunter on Saturday, April 18 at 11 am. Guests are encouraged to bring any photos or personal stories they may have of Clementine Hunter, which can be scanned and added to his growing collection.

Tickets for this exciting event can be purchased at: https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026. Attendees will be able to shop for: stunning jewelry, exquisite paintings, savory salsa, intricate woodwork, delectable desserts, and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for something special, there’s something for everyone to discover and cherish at the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival.

“We’d love for y’all to come out, shop, and support historic Melrose. Take in the views, check out all the vendors, and just enjoy a good day together at the festival. Tours of the Big House and African House will be available- so bring your friends and family and make it a day to remember, ” said Ariel Rachal event organizer.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate over five decades of artistic excellence at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival. Purchase your tickets today and join us for a weekend of creativity, community, and celebration!

For ticket information and event updates, visit https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026 

If it feels like getting or keeping insurance lately comes down to luck, you’re not alone. With rates climbing, policies changing, and hurricane season always looming, many homeowners are left wondering what they’ll land on next—and whether they can afford it.

The Natchitoches Central Chiefs, Lakeview Gators and St. Mary’s Tigers earned LHSAA baseball playoff bids released Tuesday, with the Chiefs traveling south this weekend, the Gators with a short road trip, while the Tigers don’t begin their postseason until the end of the month. 

NCHS (21-13) will play a best-of-three Non-Select Division I series beginning Thursday at 12th seeded Northshore (25-9). The Chiefs are seeded 21st. They play Thursday and Friday at 6:30, and if necessary, Saturday at noon. 

St. Mary’s (15-9) earned the No. 9 seed in the Select Division IV bracket, where competition is single-elimination. The high seed earned them a first-round bye, as it did their regional round opponent, Vermilion Catholic, No. 8 in the bracket, 15-10 overall. That game will be sometime between April 29 and May 2. 

Lakeview (16-15) is the No. 21 seed in Non-Select Division IV and will visit No. 12 Logansport next Thursday, April 23 in a first-round game.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Northwestern State rode another strong start from Mattison Buster and a late offensive surge to a game-one win, but were unable to slow Lamar’s bats in the nightcap as the teams split Tuesday’s Southland Conference softball doubleheader.

NSU looks to secure its third road conference series win of the season today at 2 p.m. with ESPN+ coverage and a broadcast on KZBL-FM Radio 100.7 in Natchitoches.

The Demons (22-22 overall, 11-9 in the Southland) took the opener 6-2 before falling 10-5 in Game 2, despite pounding out 19 hits Tuesday, six of them going for extra bases, and scoring 11 total runs.

“I was happy with how our offense performed today, and (Mattison) Buster did a great job in the circle in that first game,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “Glad to come out of today with a split, and think if our offense can do that again tomorrow, we have a chance to take the series.”

Buster was perfect the first time through the lineup, retiring the first 10 batters she faced in a row before surrendering a one-out walk in the fourth inning. The no-hitter was broken up two batters later on a single to center, but Buster stranded both runners to keep Lamar off the board.

The Demon offense gave Buster the lead in the top of the fourth with a two-out rally. Makynlie Jones and Aly Delafield reached on back-to-back hits giving NSU a first-and-third scenario. The Demons deployed a double steal, forcing a bad throw to third that skipped to the outfield allowing Jones to score.

Delafield was at the center of the Demons’ next run scoring chance in the sixth as she followed a Brynn Daniel double to left center with a runner on first with a two-bagger of her own to right to give NSU a 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals finally got to Buster in the bottom of the inning, pushing across two runs on a single to center and a wild pitch, cutting the lead down to one heading into the final frame.

NSU’s offense though had found its stride and broke the game open with a crooked number inning, with Daniel providing the decisive blow, a no-doubt three-run home run off the scoreboard in left, her second long ball of the season, making it a 6-2 NSU lead.

The Demons carried that offensive momentum into the nightcap, scoring in the first inning for the 20th time this season. Northwestern opened a 4-1 lead in its first three at-bats before Lamar scored four to answer the Demons’ three to take the lead in the third. They stretched the lead with two more in the fourth and scored at least one run in each of their final five trips to the plate in the game.

The Demons recorded nine total hits with six coming off the bats of Smith and Daniel in Game 2. Both came to the plate in the final two innings with chances at four-hit games but were turned away in their final at-bats.

“I really thought they were dialed in at the plate from the middle of that first game on,” Fuller said. “Brynn really secured the game for us with that home run. We felt like she was due for a big hit like that and she came through. JT got things going too, had three hits in the second game, so really happy with the offense today.”

With three runs scored on the day, JT Smith became just the second NSU player in the past 10 seasons to score 40 runs in a season and the first since Cayla Jones scored 41 in 2018 and 2019.

Buster (19-10) is one win away from becoming the fifth 20-game winner in the Southland Conference since 2021 and the first Demons pitcher with 20 wins in a season since Amie Ford tied the single-season record with 21 in 2004.

Daniel went 5-for-8 on the day with a home run, two doubles, five RBI and scored three runs. She was part of a the 4-5-6-7 hitters in the NSU lineup on the day that had a combined 12 hits.