Southland Conference leader Northwestern State remained unbeaten in league play with a doubleheader sweep of the Sam Houston softball team Friday afternoon at Demon Diamond in Natchitoches, La.

The Demons now stand 8-0 in Southland play and 18-12 for the year after defeating the Bearkats 5-2 and 8-0.

Third baseman Peyton Webb had a hand in each of Sam Houston State's runs as in the first game.

Webb doubled to right center in the top of the sixth inning and scored on a single to right field by catcher Tiffany Castillo. In the seventh inning, outfielders Ashley Kopps and Jessica Slater each tapped bunt singles and second baseman Dani Allen singled to right to load the bases. Webb walked to score the Kats' second run.

Freshman Jordan Franks started in the circle for Sam Houston and held the Demons to one run for the first four innings. A single by Britney Jones accounted for the tally.

Northwestern State pulled away in the bottom of the fifth as Cassandra Barefield's grand slam home run put the Demons up 5-0. Haley Baros pitched in relief for the Bearkats.

After pitcher Taylor Atkinson shut out the Demons for the first three innings, Northwestern State got its offense going in the fourth, fifth and sixth frames to earn the 8-0 run-rule win in the nightcap.

First baseman Angelica Gonzales produced a double and Adams, Kopps and outfielder Jennie Kieval each picked up a single to account for the SHSU women's four hits.

Sam Houston falls to 8-19 for the season and 1-7 in Southland play. The Demons, two-time defending Southland Conference tournament champions, will host the Kats again Saturday at 1 p.m. in the final game of the series.