COCHRAN, Ga. – The Thomas University baseball team's three game winning streak came to a halt this afternoon on the road as they lost to the Knights of Middle Georgia 5-4 in 11 innings.  MGSC's victory tied the season series (2-2) between the two ball clubs.
 
The Knights committed five costly errors throughout regulation that kept Thomas within contention.  In the top of the second inning, the Night Hawks took the 1-0 advantage on one of these errors when third baseman Damon Jackson scored on a misplayed grounder hit by right fielder Alan Baker.  Thomas expanded its lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth.  First baseman Brent Slaughter reached base on the second Middle Georgia error of the game when Haydn Nechanicky dropped a fly ball.  The Night Hawks capitalized on the error loading the bases.  With one out in the inning, Baker was walked on six pitches to score Slaughter from third.
 
Middle Georgia responded in the bottom of the fourth to take the 3-2 lead over the visiting Night Hawks.  Shortstop Tay Jerger drove in the Knights' first run of the game with a single to center, scoring Sam Ayers.  Previously, Ayers was hit by a pitch and then moved to third on a throwing error by TU's catcher Kaleb Holbrook.  The Knights would score again during their next at bat when Peyton Kell dropped a soft liner over the outreached hands of TU's second baseman.  MGSC picked up their final run of the inning on a suicide squeeze by Nechanicky to take the 3-2 lead.  Middle Georgia would add a run in the fifth to increase their advantage to 4-2. 
 
Thomas fought back in the later innings to tie the ballgame at 4-4 to head to extra innings.  Reliever Tyler Leach came on in the eighth to pitch three spotless innings of work.  After the Night Hawks were set down in order in the top of the 11th, the Knights took advantage of a leadoff walk to Jerger.  After he stole second base, Jerger came home to score on a walk-off single by Kell for the 5-4 victory.
 
"Tough loss today after the fight the guys showed down the stretch," stated head coach Mike Lee.  "We have a short turnaround for tomorrow and need to do a better job establishing runs early and not leaving so many potential runs standing at second and third."
 
Thomas drops to 14-14-1, 6-8 TSC, while Middle Georgia improves to 12-18.
 
The Night Hawks return to action on Wed., March 25 when they host NCAA Division II foe Georgia Southwestern in a single game set.  First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. from Varnedoe Stadium.
 
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, and feature stories of your TU baseball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawkBaseba.