The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DAUNTE Stuart continues his power hitting display for his Northwestern State Demons with his fourth home run in the last six games.

Stuart hit his team leading fourth home run of the season in the Demons’ 5-4 win over the Incarnate Word Cardinals in game two of their four-game series over the weekend.

The sophomore shortstop homered in the bottom of the first inning to give his team an early 1-0 lead. Hitting in the two spot, Stuart took an inside pitch far beyond the left field wall.

He finished 2-2 on the night with two RBI, scored one run, and reached base four times.

“I’m just glad I can get on base for my team,” Stuart said. “Every time I go up there I’m just trying to find a way to get on base so my guys can drive me in because I have faith in them doing that.”

Stuart added a double in the third inning that was nearly another RBI but the Cardinal defence cut down the potential run at the plate. He would eventually score on a passed ball and the Demons took a 3-0 lead.

Incarnate Word went on to win both games in Saturday’s doubleheader, 2-1 and 3-2. Stuart went hitless in both games and brought an end to his hit streak at 10 games.

In the series finale, Stuart got back to his productivity, and the Demons closed out the series with a 6-5 walk off win. He finished 3-4, with one run scored and one RBI.

With the score tied 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Stuart was intentionally walked but the Demons completed the rally when pinch hitter Cameron Parikh scored Cam Sibley on a sac fly.

The only player to start all 14 games for the Demons, Stuart leads the team in batting average (.362), home runs (four), doubles (four), hits (17), runs (nine), RBI (12), total bases (34), slugging percentage (.702), OBP (.483), OPS (1.185) and tied for the lead in stolen bases with two.

The four-game series opened play for the Demons in the Southland Conference. It marked the start of a 40-game conference slate that features 10 four-game weekend series.