THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University softball team defeated Montreat (N.C.), 7-5, but lost, 2-1, to No. 23 Rio Grande (Ohio) on day two of the TU Invitational. On Friday, Thomas defeated Truett McConnell and No. 19 Mobile. 

The loss to nationally-ranked Rio Grande was Thomas' first of the season. Thomas, which was receiving votes in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll, is now 7-1 overall this season.  

Game One
Thomas struck first with one run in the fourth, but Montreat scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take the 3-1 lead. The Night Hawks answered with a pair in the fifth and four in the sixth to make it 7-3. Montreat's final attempt was cut short as the Cavaliers were only able to plate two runs in the top of the seventh. 

Emily Bowne, who allowed five runs from five hits in 2.2 innings, earned the victory and Margarita Sena picked up the save on the mound for TU. Katie Lopes and Rebecca Boesen each allowed just one hit in their 2.0 innings pitched.

OF Victoria Camina, 1B A.J. Weiss and DH Izzy Ekstam each recorded a pair of hits. 

As a team, Thomas tallied six stolen bases in the game: Camina (2), Stoltz (2), Gaby Mora (1) and Ekstam (1). 

In the fourth inning, Mora and Weiss each doubled to score TU's first run. Montreat answered with three runs in the fifth off of a double, a pair of singles and a Night Hawk error. 

Thomas stole four bases in the fifth and scored two runs to even the score at three. With two outs, Camina singled, stole second and scored on a wild pitch. Stoltz walked, then stole second and stole home to score TU's second run. 

Weiss led off the sixth with a single, then scored after a single by Ekstam and a walk to Olivia Garcia. With the bases loaded, Camina grounded out to the pitcher, plating Ekstam, then Stoltz picked up a pair of RBI with her two-out single. 

Montreat ended the night by scoring two runs from two hits in the top of the seventh. 


Game Two
Thomas scored first against No. 23 Rio Grande, plating one run in the fourth, but the RedStorm recorded two runs from four hits in the bottom of the sixth to take the 2-1 victory. 

Despite striking out six, Lauren West took the loss for TU, allowing two runs from five hits in 6.0 innings. 

Thomas notched three stolen bases against URG, one each from Camina, Mora and Taisa Kirindongo. Camina, Stoltz and Connolly each recorded a hit for the Night Hawks. 

Camina led off the fourth with a single, then stole second and advanced to third on a single by Stoltz. Connolly hit a two-out single, giving Thomas the 1-0 lead. 

Rio Grande recorded a solo home run, then a single and a double in back-to-back at bats plated the RedStorm's second run.