Northwestern State's Adam Oller shut down Sam Houston State with a complete-game performance while the Bearkats allowed nine unearned runs to cross the plate in a 12-1 loss in the series opener.

The start of the game was delayed two hours because of weather.

The Demons opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first inning before they tacked on a pair of unearned runs in the fourth inning.

The top of the ninth will be one the Bearkats want to forget as they allowed nine runs to score, eight of which were unearned.

Tyler Eppler tossed eight innings and was only charged with two earned runs. Seth Holbert, Cole Foster and Jordan Church pitched in the ninth inning.

Hunter Courson broke up the shutout in the bottom of the ninth with his first career home run.

The second game of the series is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. first pitch Saturday.