By RENALDO DORSETT
Tribune Sports Reporter
rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
DAUNTE Stuart had a career day at the plate and his Northwestern State Demons baseball programme has been powered to a four-game win streak by a suddenly resurgent offence.
Stuart went 5-6 with two RBI, two doubles and scored three runs in Tuesday night’s 21-7 win over Lamar University at Brown-Stroud Field in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Stuart doubled to left centre in the first inning to drive in the game’s first run. He also drove in an RBI single in the eighth as the Demons extended their lead 16-5.
Both Stuart and the entire Demons offence got off to a quick start this season but struggled in the midst of a seven-game losing streak. “What a crazy game,” Demons head coach Bobby Barbier said. “Runs are pouring in right now. We went for a couple of weeks where it was hard to cross the plate. It rewards those who stick with it. If you stick with it, fight through tough times and you get the rewards. We talked about moving past the tough times, now we have to move past this. We’ve got four games in three days coming up really quick.”
Stuart’s offence coincided with the rest of the Demons roster to end the streak with a three-game sweep over Alcorn.
In game one, Stuart went 3-5 with a double and scored three runs, in game two he hit his first home run of the season and drove in three RBI, followed by a two RBI game to sweep the series.
The recent stretch has boosted Stuart’s season average to .339 with 11 RBI, seven doubles and scored nine runs.
The surging Demons, winners of four straight, welcome South Dakota State to Brown-Stroud Field for a four-game series presented by the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission beginning 6pm Thursday.
The series also includes a 2pm Friday doubleheader and a 2pm Saturday series finale.
A preseason All- Southland Conference selection, Stuart delivered the go ahead RBI double in the eighth inning of the Demons’ 5-4 win over Stephen F Austin in the season debut.
Stuart is one of 22 lettermen that have returned to the Demons’ roster this season, but the team is out to a surprising 7-9 start.
Stuart, a 5’11 180-pound infielder, played last season predominantly at second base and was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball magazine.
He became the first position player in school history to win the award. He was also previously named to the Southland Conference second team when the league announced its annual awards.
Stuart was the Demons leader in batting average (.278), doubles (13), home runs (7), RBIs (30) and total bases (84). He drew more walks than any other player in the Southland Conference and ranked 16th in the nation with 44.
His walk total ranks sixth in school single-season history, one away from moving him into a three-way tie for fourth place.
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