WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Thomas University and No. 10 Keiser (Fla.) University totaled 40 runs in two games as the Night Hawks lost, 19-1, in the first game and won, 15-5, in game two Friday in West Palm Beach, Fla.
In the two games, the teams combined for 40 runs from 53 hits, including five home runs and nine doubles, 15 walks and seven errors.
Thomas is now 6-7 overall and Keiser is 7-2. The teams play the rubber match Sunday at 12 p.m.
Game One
Jalbert Melo rocketed a leadoff home run to left center to open game one, but the Night Hawks were unable to get rolling the rest of the game, falling 19-1.
Keiser collected 22 hits in 40 at bats, recording two home runs and four doubles. Keiser tallied three runs in the second, six in the third, one in both the fourth and fifth innings, then ended with eight runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Dillon Rutland (0-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs from six hits, while striking out three in 2.0 innings pitched.
Chris Rzewnicki allowed 11 runs from 13 hits in 3.1 innings and
Chance Carter finished the game with two runs allowed from three hits in 0.2 innings.
Game Two
Thomas answered with a 15-5 victory over No. 10 Keiser in game two. The Night Hawks tallied 14 hits from a pair of home runs, three doubles, three walks and a trio of batters being hit by a pitch. TU also stole a pair of bases.
Melo led the charge with a 4-for-4 outing at the plate and four runs scored while
Landon Boyette was 3-for-5 with one 3-run home run and three runs scored.
Wyatt Petrey also blasted a 3-run home run, was walked and hit by a pitch.
Ryan Pierce (2-0) earned the win, allowing just one run from four hits, one walk and three strikeouts in 3.0 innings.
For the second-straight game, Melo led off the game with a hit, this time singling to third base. He later scored as Westbrook grounded out to second base.
Keiser answered with one run from two hits and one error in the bottom of the second.
In the third,
Taylor Westbrook reached on a fielder's choice and Berlin singled to left, then Westbrook scored on a fielding error by Keiser, which allowed
Justin Young to reach base. Petrey then cracked his 3-run homer to left center.
Colin Kirkland doubled down the left field line to open the fourth and Melo singled to right field before Boyette sent his shot over the left field fence.
Keiser scored three runs from three hits in the bottom of the inning to decrease the gap, 8-4. But TU tallied four runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
Chase Hinson singled, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch to begin the sixth. Melo walked then a single from Boyette plated Hinson. With two outs, Young and Petrey were each hit by a pitch, allowing Melo to cross the plate. Then a double by
Jake Webb scored Boyette and Young.
Keiser added one more run in the sixth, but TU answered again, with three in the seventh.
Melo's final hit of the day was a single through the left side. Boyette singled up the middle and Westbrook collected an RBI with his single to the right side. Young sent a sac fly to left to plate Westbrook and end the scoring for TU.
