MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Thomas University came up short in extra innings, 6-5, then lost 6-4 to Florida Memorial Saturday at the Harry T. Moore Baseball Complex.
The teams started the day by resuming play of game two, which was suspended in the 10th inning on Friday night, due to darkness. Florida Memorial went on to win, 6-5, in the 11th.
TU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the third game of the series, but FMU answered with three runs in the third. Thomas scored one in the fifth and two in the sixth, but Florida Memorial added two in the fifth and one in the seventh to earn the 6-4 victory.
RHP
Chance Carter was tagged with the loss in the second game of the series, allowing two hits and one run. RHP
Holden Alexander, who allowed nine hits, five runs and walked two in 4.1 innings, took the loss in game three.
Three Night Hawks recorded a double in the final game of the day, including
Jalbert Melo,
Justin Young and
Jake Webb.
Thomas next hosts No. 12 Georgia Gwinnett on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.
Game Two
One hit, a TU error and a wild pitch allowed FMU to get on the board first, scoring a pair of runs in the second inning.
Jalbert Melo rocketed a 3-run bomb to left to put Thomas ahead, 3-2, in the top of the fifth.
Gavin Murphy doubled to center field, then
Trent Miller singled to right to set up the 3-run shot by Melo.
FMU added a run in the bottom of the fifth and the sixth to regain the lead, 4-3, but with two outs in the top of the eighth, TU tallied two runs to go ahead, 5-4.
After a strikeout and a pop fly by two Night Hawks in the top of the eighth,
Keyton Smith stepped to the plate and singled up the middle.
Wyatt Petrey reached on an error, which also plated
Keefer Beaty, who was pinch running for Smith.
Justin Young then poked a shot to right field, picking up an RBI as Petrey scored and TU took the lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, FMU spoiled TU's lead and sent the game into extra innings.
Play was suspended in the 10th due to no lights at the facility, and the game was resumed at 10 a.m. Saturday.
In the bottom of the 11th, FMU singled to left, then moved the runner to second on a sac bunt. TU's error and passed ball allowed the runner to advance to third, then he scored on a single up the middle.
Game Three
Melo went 2-for-4 with a double, drawn walk, run scored and RBI while
Justin Young also had a pair of hits, a double and an RBI for Thomas.
In the first, Melo scored after knocking a single to left, then scoring on a sac fly by Smith.
Landon Boyette led off the fifth with an infield single, stole second, then scored on a single to center by Young.
Thomas' final run came in the sixth, with a pair of doubles from
Jake Webb then Melo.
