FT. MYERS, Fla. – The sixth-seeded Thomas University baseball team was defeated 6-1 this afternoon by fourth-seeded Southeastern University in the first game of the Winner's Bracket. While the Night Hawks lost, they are still alive in the double elimination tournament.
The Fire blazed out to the early 2-0 advantage in the opening inning of the contest. With the bases loaded with one out, designated hitter Cody Hoffner singled to left field to drive in the first SEU run of the game. Five pitches later, shortstop Luis Diaz hit a grounder to TU's second baseman
Austin Corbitt that scored first baseman Willi Martin from third for the second Fire run of the inning. Previously, Martin reached on a single to center.
Southeastern continued the offensive fury in the fourth and seventh innings increasing their lead to 4-0. Notably, Martin launched a solo homerun over the left field fence in the seventh for the fourth Fire run of the game.
Thomas would cut into SEU's lead in the bottom of the eighth. Designated hitter
Josh Bruijn led the inning off with a walk and then advanced to third when pinch hitter
JR Cruess rocketed a double down the left field line. Three pitches later, shortstop
Jake Desuyo hit into a fielder's choice to score Bruijn for Thomas' one and only run of the game.
The Hunter Green and White continued the battle down the stretch, but the Fire plated two insurance runs in the top of the ninth to clinch the 6-1 victory over the Night Hawks.
TU's starter
Neal Hunter (2-5) suffered the loss while SEU's Patrick Kinney (8-4) picked up the win. Thomas drops to 23-24-1 on the year while (RV) Southeastern improves to 37-18.
The Night Hawks return to action on Sunday, May 3, when they face the loser of third-seeded St. Thomas and second-seeded Embry-Riddle in an elimination game. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. at the City of Palms Park.
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.