Third baseman Ryan Brinley's grand slam home run in the third inning helped power Sam Houston to an 8-5 victory over Northwestern State in a midweek non-conference meeting between the two Southland squads Tuesday night at Don Sanders Stadium in Huntsville.

Down 1-0, the Kats posted a six-run, six-hit inning in the third that featured the grand slam along with triples by pinch hitter Trevor Winne and shortstop Miles Manning.

Sam Houston upped its season mark to 16-19 with the win while Northwestern State dropped to 17-14. The Bearkats out-hit the Demons 14 to nine. Center fielder Bryce Johnson and Winne led the SHSU men at the plate each with three hits.

Right-hander reliever Alex Bisacca (3-1) earned the victory, keeping Northwestern State scoreless and hitless in four innings while striking out four Demon batters. Seth Holbert, Jordan Church and Brinley each pitched an inning in relief. Starter Devin Bear took the loss for Northwestern State in his first decision of the season.

A single down the left field line by right-fielder Caleb Dugan scored the Demons' first run in the second inning. The hit scored second baseman David Fry who reached first on an infield error.

The Demons loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the third but failed to get a run across. After Bisacca took over in relief for Bearkat starter Dylan Ebbs, catcher C. J. Webster lined out to short and Fry hit into a double play.

Left fielder Hayden Simerly led off the six-run third inning with single through the left side. Two hard hit outs to center field had the Demons an out away from ending the inning. But Winne's triple up the left field line scored Simerly and opened the flood gates.

Johnson scored Winne with a bunt single. Second baseman Zach Smith singled and right fielder Wyatt Powell walked to set up Brinley's grand slam.

Winne doubled down the right field line with two out in the fourth inning then scored on a single by Johnson to open the SHSU lead up to 7-1.

Brinley added another run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning. An RBI single by Anthony Lucas accounted for the Demons' second run in the eighth inning. First baseman Chase Daughdrill added a three-run homer down the left field line with two out in the top of the ninth.

Sam Houston State hosts Incarnate Word in a three-game Southland Conference series beginning Friday at Don Sanders Stadium.