NATCHITOCHES, La. — Two big innings proved to be the difference as Northwestern State swept a doubleheader against the Sam Houston State softball team in the Southland Conference series opener Friday at Lady Demon Diamond.
 
The Bearkats fell to 9-14 overall and 0-2 in SLC play, while the Lady Demons improved to 14-7 and 2-0. The two teams will play the series finale Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
Game 1 • Northwestern State 5, Sam Houston State 2
Northwestern State scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning to hand the Bearkats a loss in the Southland Conference opener Friday afternoon at Lady Demon Diamond.
 
Sam Houston State took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when senior Tiffany Thompson hit a two-out single, stole second base and scored on an RBI double to right field by junior Brooke Malia. Junior Bailey White reached on an error to bring home Malia.
 
Junior Sheridan Fisher collected two hits and senior Megan McDonald, sophomore Regan Dunn and junior Madilyn Weatherly all hit safely for the Bearkats.
 
Game 2 • Northwestern State 6, Sam Houston State 5
Northwestern State scored five runs in the fourth inning to sweep a doubleheader Friday.
 
After the Lady Demons took a 5-4 lead, Sam Houston State tied the game in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly to center field, which scored freshman Ellie Grill, who reached on an error to start the inning.
 
Northwestern State hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh to end it.
 
The Bearkats scored a run in the first when Fisher singled with one out, and Thompson, Malia and Dunn each walked to make it 1-0.
 
Sam Houston State increased the lead to 4-0 with three more runs in the top of the fourth when senior Hunter Ervin launched a three-run home run to left-center field.
 
Fisher went 2 for 2, and Dunn and McDonald also collected a hit for the Kats.