THOMASVILLE, Ga. – After opening the 2015 season with a 2-1 record against Middle Georgia, the Night Hawks dropped back to a .500 record this afternoon losing at Varendoe Stadium to Reinhardt University 12-5.
 
The Night Hawks jumped out to the 2-0 lead in bottom half of the second inning when center fielder Corey Conway singled to up the middle to score Jeremy Crosby and Leo Benjamin.  Both previously reached on singles before moving up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt by Matthew Brady.
 
Two innings later, the Eagles would even the game at two.  After Reinhardt's Chap Lindstrom singled to right and Bobby Gazzola double to left-center, the Eagles would use a ground out by Tyus O'Neal to plate the first run and a single up the middle for the RU's second run of the game.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Night Hawks responded scoring two runs to take the 4-2 lead.  Right fielder Alan Baker led off the inning with a single to center.  After stealing second base, Baker would score on a one out triple by shortstop Jake Desuyo. Two pitches later, second baseman Jalbert Melo would double into shallow left field to plate Desuyo for TU's four run.
 
Reinhardt would tie the game in top frame of the sixth before Thomas would temporarily regain the lead, 5-4, over the Eagles.  Conway, who already batted in two runs in the second inning, picked up his third RBI of the day on a two out single to center. 
 
The Eagles' relief pitching then stepped in and silenced Thomas' bats for the rest of the game.  Reinhardt continued with its pitching staff's momentum and provided eight unanswered runs to close out the nine inning contest.
 
"We had a chance today to beat a quality team, but fell short," stated head coach Mike Lee. "At times, the bats were connecting and things seemed to be going our way.  Down the stretch, we committed a costly error that swayed the momentum of the game in Reinhardt's favor.  We've got a quick turnaround tomorrow and look to rebound then."
 
On offense, Conway led the way for the Night Hawks going 2-for-4 out the plate while batting in three runs.  Baker came up big on the bases recording two steals.
 
The Night Hawks return to action on Friday, Feb. 6 when they host Montreat College in double-header action.  First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.  The second game will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first contest.
 
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of your TU men's basketball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawkBaseba.