Thomas University (20-26, 7-11 TSC) exploded for 26 runs on 25 hits, including 20 runs in the final four innings on Saturday afternoon in a 26-8 win over Ave Maria. Every TU starter had at least 1 hit and 1 RBI in the onslaught which ended in 8 innings due to the mercy rule.
The Night Hawks opened the scoring in the first inning when Tanner Elsbernd reached on a 2-out walk after an epic 13 pitch at-bat, and Levi Hollingsworth followed with his 6^th homer of the year over the right field fence into a blustery wind for the 2-0 lead. AMU would answer with 3 runs of their own off TU starter David Wood for the 3-2 lead after one inning.
The night Hawks would retake the lead in the 2^nd, courtesy of a 2-out double from Jalbert Melo into the right centerfield  gap, scoring Dillon True and Taylor Westbrook. Melo would score on an error by the AMU shortstop to make it a 5-3 lead. The Gyrenes would add another run in the 3^rd to close the lead to one run at 5-4.
In the 4th, Westbrook led off with a single, and would later score on an Elsbernd double to stretch the lead to 6-4. In the 5^th, the floodgates opened as Yovanny Peguero opened the inning with a single, and Reed Melcolm reached on an error by the Gyrene 3^rd baseman. Following a groundout that advanced both runners, TU put together 4 straight hits to score 5 runs and make the lead 11-4. Wood faced the minimum 6 batters in 4^th and 5^th innings.
TU would add another run in the 6^th inning on a Gavin Murphy single that scored Peguero, making the lead 12-4. In the 7^th, Melo would reach on an error, followed by 4 straight hits, stretching the lead to 16-4. The Gyrenes would not go quietly however, scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the inning, chasing Wood before Chris Rzewnicki got the final out of the 7^th.
In the 8^th inning, TU would score 10 runs on 7 hits, highlighted by a Dominic Berlin 2-run double and an Elsbernd grand slam, to finish the mercy rule win.
Murphy would finish the day 5-6 with 3 RBI, and Elsbernd added 3 hits, 4 runs and 6 RBI. Melo had 3 hits and scored 5 times, while Tanner Long  had 3 hits, 3 runs, and 3 RBI.
Wood picked up the win on the mound, throwing 6.1 innings, giving up 9 hits, 7 runs (4ER), while walking 1 and striking out 3.
The Night Hawks are back in action on Tuesday, April 11, when Edward Waters comes to Varnedoe Stadium. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1pm.