Thomas University (3-3) split a doubleheader with Trinity Baptist (2-4) on a cold and blustery Saturday afternoon at Varnedoe Stadium. The Night Hawks fell 3-2 in game one, before bouncing back to take the rubber game 10-2.
Hits were hard to come by for both teams, as TBC had only one hit heading into the 6th, and TU had mustered only two. In the bottom of the 5th, the Night Hawks managed to scratch out 2 runs on 2 Eagle errors and a wild pitch. Jalbert Melo started the 2-out rally with a walk. JR Cruess followed with a ground ball to third on a 3-2 pitch, which was thrown wide of the bag at first. Melo was running on the pitch and scored when the catcher couldn't hang on to the throw from first. Cruess ended the play on third, and was replaced by courtesy runner Austin Simmons, who scored on a wild pitch for the 2-0 lead.
In the top of the 6th, the Eagles would get a leadoff walk, but it was erased as Cruess threw the runner out attempting to steal. With 2 out, reliever Jacob Moye surrendered a bloop single, followed by a 2-run homer which tied the game 2-2.
In the top of the 7th, the Eagles used a 1-out walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a 2-out single to score the winning run. TU would get a baserunner on in the bottom of the 7th, but could not push him across. Moye (0-1) would be saddled with the loss, going 2 innngs, surrendering 3 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 1.
In the nightcap, TBC would take the 2-0 lead in the 2nd on a 2-out bases loaded single. TU would answer in the 3rd, as Tanner Elsbernd smashed a 2-out triple, scoring Simmons and Tanner Long. The scoring would continue in the 4th, as the Night Hawks would add 7, with the big blows coming from Elsbernd's 2 RBI single, and a 3-run homer from Gant Highsmith. Elsbernd would finish the game 2-3 and 4 RBI, while Highsmith added 3 RBI. Senior Neal Hunter (1-1) picked up his first win of the year, throwing 5 innings, while giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, a walk, and 6 strikeouts.
TU is back in action Friday, February 12 at USC-Beaufort in their Sun Conference opener. First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.