Thomas University (22-29, 8-13 TSC) dropped both ends of a doubleheader to USC-Beaufort on Saturday, losing game one 9-4 before falling 7-6 in 11 innings in game 2. With the loss by Warner University at Webber International, TU secured the 6th and final spot in the Sun Conference tournament beginning May 5 in Ft. Meyers.

Game One

The Sand sharks would strike first in the 2nd and 3rd innings off of Night Hawks starter Holden Alexander, scoring 5 runs to take a lead they would not relinquish. TU would close the gap in the bottom of the inning when Jalbert Melo scored on a USCB error, and Tanner Elsbernd would score on a Gavin Murphy single to close the gap to 5-2. USCB would tack on 3 more runs in the 4th inning off Alexander, but the Night Hawks would score again when Logan Place singled, stole second, and later scored on a wild pitch to make the score 8-3 after four innings.

Shane Davis replaced Alexander on the hill, and neither team would score until the 7th, when USCB stretched the lead to 9-3. In the bottom of the inning, Tanner Long reached on error and moved to third on an Elsbernd single. Long scored when Levi Hollingsworth lifted a fly ball to center that fell between 3 fielders making the score 9-4.

Alexander took the loss on the hill, while Elsbernd finished the game 3-3 at the plate. Murphy had the lone RBI in the contest for the Night Hawks.

Game Two

TU would take an early 1-0 lead after Melo doubled and moved to 3rd on a single by Long. Elsbernd would drive a fly ball to center field for a sacrifice fly to put TU on front 1-0 in the first inning.
TU starter David Wood couldn't hold the lead, surrendering 4 runs over the next two innings, before the Night Hawks answered with two of their own in the 6th inning. Long and Elsbernd would single to open the inning, and advance to 2nd and 3rd on a passed ball. Dominic Berlin would ground out to score Long, and Wyatt Petrey would single to score Elsbernd, closing the gap to 4-3 after 6 innings.

USCB added a run in the top of the 7th, but the Night Hawks would tie the game in the bottom of the inning on 2-run homer by Long. Elsbernd and Berlin would follow with back-to-back doubles to give TU the lead 6-5. USCB would use a 2 out bouncing single in the 9th to tie the game, and would win it in the 11th on an unearned run off of reliever Chris Rzewnicki. Long finished the game 3-5, with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Berlin added 2 RBI.

The Night HAwks are back in action on Tuesday, April 18, when they travel to West Point, GA to take on Point University. First pitch is scheduled for 3pm.