THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The 10th ranked Thomas University softball team swept the visiting Eagles of Embry-Riddle in their double header Sun Conference matchup at Armory Field this afternoon.  The Lady Night Hawks blanked ERAU taking the games in an 8-0 and 2-0 victory, respectively.
 
The opening game of the twin bill was a slugfest for the Lady Night Hawks.  Thomas run-ruled the Eagles in the game ending the contest in five innings. 
 
Thomas plated four runs in two separate innings.  In the bottom of the second, the Lady Night Hawks went on a two-out rally that eventually led to a grand slam by center fielder Aileen Fiallo.  The Hialeah, Fla., native crushed a rise ball off the foul pole in left to put the Hunter Green and White up 4-0 at the end of two.
 
Three innings later, Thomas would end the game scoring four more runs.  An error by Raquelli Bianco started the inning off allowing Rachel Hoeft to reach.  She was then pinch run for by Brittany Daniels.  First baseman Carmen Nadal put runners on first and second walking on five pitches.  Designated player Kelsey Connolly stepped in and crushed the first pitch she saw over the center field fence for her eighth homerun of the season.  The three-run shot gave TU the 7-0 lead.  Next, shortstop Lindsey Young singled to left.  Young would steal second and then move to third on a wild pitch.  With Fiallo at the plate, Young would come home to score the decisive run on a second consecutive wild pitch by ERAU's starter Robi Zimmerman.
 
Right-hander Katie Lopes had a dominating performance on the mound for Thomas.  The freshman picked up her ninth win of the season allowing just four hits while striking out four of the 21 batters faced.  Zimmerman suffered the loss in the game.
 
In game two, the Eagles and Lady Night Hawks battled through a pitchers' duel.  Thomas' starter Ashley Sikes (13-4) pitched seven shutout innings allowing just two hits while striking out two of the 25 batters she faced.
 
The Lady Night Hawks did all their damage in the opening inning of the contest.  Thomas plated the only runs of the game on one hit and one error.  Right fielder Alex VanWagner started the inning off with a single to shallow right field.  She would advance to third when Chandler Seay hit a chopper to short where ERAU's Victoria Reed missed the force out catch at the bag. With runners on second and third, Michael Cooper grounded to second to score VanWagner from third.  With one out in the inning, Hoeft lifted a sacrifice fly to deep right-center field to score Seay from third.
 
Sikes simply dominated the rest of the game shutting down all of the Eagles' offensive efforts.  She would pick up her 13th win of the season in the contest while ERAU's Bianco suffered the loss.
 
"I'm proud of what our ladies have accomplished so far this season," stated head coach Bill Wilson.  "We continue supporting each other, caring for each other, and lifting each other up on and off the field.  I couldn't ask for a better group to be around."
 
Thomas improves to 28-7, 6-0 TSC, on the year while Embry-Riddle drops to 15-13, 1-3 TSC.

The Lady Night Hawks return to action on Fri., April 3, when they travel to Hardeeville, S.C., to face off with Sun Conference rival and 24th ranked USC-Beaufort in a two-game set.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with game two beginning 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
 
For up-to-date information on these games and other TU Athletics, visit www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, and feature stories of your TU softball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksSoftb.