Twenty games into the season, Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s baseball has already experienced high pressure moments that showcase their hard work and resilience.
The Demons opened the 2026 season on Feb. 13 with an extra-inning victory that set the tone for the rest of the year. The Demons defeated the University of Texas at Arlington with a walk-off single in the 14th inning.
The following week, they won another extra-inning game against the University of Central Arkansas during a doubleheader game on Feb. 21. After eight innings of scoreless baseball, the Demons took the win in inning 15 with three runs.
For Chris Bertrand, head baseball coach, those games reflect the team’s developing identity.
“Extra inning baseball becomes really high stakes, where the margin of error becomes razor thin,” Bertrand said. “I think we are successful in close ball games and in extra inning ball games because of the culture we have created.”
The culture of the team is important to their success on the field.
“We have a group of guys that really love to play baseball,” Bertrand said. “They love to be on the field, in the weight room, work on their own, and they love to be of service to the program in any way they can.”
Brooks Leonard, a junior outfielder and a health and human performance, said the bond within is undeniable.
“This has been the closest team I have been a part of since my freshman year,” Leonard said. “Everyone wants to win, and I have confidence in all of them that they are going to be locked in and ready to go to the plate.”
Kevin Robinson, a junior right-handed pitcher and a hospitality management and tourism major, expressed similar views on the team’s culture.
“This is probably one of the best teams chemistry-wise that we have had since I’ve been here for three years,” Robinson said. “We all love each other and want to see each other succeed.”
While the first stretch of the season has included both highs and lows, Robinson said the attitude remains strong.
“The season has had its ups and downs, but I think we are all in a good mindset,” Robinson said. “We are all here for one common goal—to win a championship.”
The unity has shown up on the field through what Bertrand describes as “complementary baseball.”
“We want all three phases of the game, offense, defense and pitching, to play off of each other,” Bertrand said. “Complementary baseball is what we think is gonna make us the most consistent.”
Currently sitting at 13-7, the Demons have shown they can endure long nights and compete in tight games. If the first stretch of games is any indication, the Demons’ early season has been about more than wins and losses. It has been about resilience, trust and building identity.
NSU baseball will play against Tulane University on March 18 at 6:30 p.m. in New Orleans.
