Knocking Off NSU

NATCHITOCHES, La. - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi notched its third straight win this Friday, dropping Northwestern State on the road to open this weekend's series in Louisiana. The Islanders took the final decision 6-1, as all nine of Corpus Christi's starters reached base safely in the contest.

Hitting his second home run in as many games, the Blue and Green's Nick Anderson put his side ahead by an early margin, hitting a solo shot to left field to leadoff the second inning. Anderson's long ball is his third of the season, as Corpus Christi would hold onto a 1-0 leading up till the fourth frame.

Thomas Jeffries IV continued his on base streak to 12 straight, starting the fourth with a double to left center, while an Andriud Martinez walk set up an RBI opportunity for starting shortstop RJ Ruiz. The senior knocked a single through the right side to score Jeffries in his seven-pitch at bat, while an arid throw from right field brought Martinez in on the play for a 3-0 Islander lead.

Starting righty Dustin Lacaze kept the Demons guessing through his time on the bump, spraying just two hits over his first three frames of work. An NSU home run in the fourth would be the only mark against the redshirt-sophomore during his second quality start of the season, as he held the Demons to five hits and a single earned run in six innings. Lacaze finished his night with five strikeouts to bring his season total to 32 in 2018, while his ERA for the current campaign plummeted to 2.80 at the conclusion of his second win of the year.

Anderson wouldn't be the only Islander to go deep on the night, with teammate Drake Osborn roping a two-run long ball in the fifth. In front by a count of 5-1, Jackson Owens drove in the final Blue and Green runs of the night, bringing in Luke Marbach from second on his first knock of the evening.

Chris Cooper closed things out for Coach Malone's side with a trio of shutout innings, as the right hander sat down four NSU batters on strikes, and gave up a single walk and hit in his fourth save of 2018.

With their win over the Demons, Corpus Christi moves to 1-4 in the SLC season and further improves their record when scoring first to 11-0 on the current year.

• Leadoff designated hitter Luke Marbach drew two walks against NSU, giving him five bases on balls in his last two appearances
• Ruiz recorded two singles in his four at bats, further improving his average to .353 when earning a spot in the starting lineup
• With a double and a walk, Jeffries has reached first in his last 12 games played. He's slashed .370/.431/.522 during that span
• Tallying his first three-inning save of the year, Cooper has improved his ERA to 3.14 in 2018
• After recording a single in Friday's contest, Harrison Dinicola is currently on an eight game hitting streak. The Islanders first baseman has earned one or more XBH in seven of those contests

COMING UP NEXT
The Blue and Green get back to work on Saturday, facing off in game two against the Demons at 2 PM. The Islanders' Aaron Hernandez will be taking the mound for that second contest, as Corpus Christi attempts to win its fourth straight against NSU. 

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