Thomas University used some timely hitting and Montreat miscues to sweep the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Varnedoe Satdium, winning 5-2 in the opener and 6-2 in the nightcap. Night Hawks pitchers gave up only 3 earned runs over the weekend to lower the team ERA to 2.75. The series sweep marks the first in exactly a year dating back to February 2017 when TU swept Milligan College at Varnedoe Stadium.
Game One
A sacrifice fly by the Cavaliers off of starter Dillon Rutland in the 4th gave them a lead, but TU would use a Montreat error to score Keaton Smith in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 1. In the fifth, Justin Young would walk to lead off the inning, and would later score to give the Night Hawks a 2-1 advantage. Montreat would tie it up in the top of the sixth off reliever Chris Rzewnicki, but Wyatt Petrey led off the bottom of the frame with his first homer of the year to left. TU would add 2 more when Landon Boyette was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Taylor Westbrook would single in another for the 5-2 margin.
Patrick Haley picked up his first win of the year, and Logan Hollyman garnered his second save in as many days for the TU. Petrey (2-2, R, HR, RBI, BB) led the way offensively for the Night Hawks, and Jalbert Melo added a hit and two walks.
Game Two
The second game of the day saw starter Holden Alexander roughed up in the first inning, giving up 2 runs (1 earned), but he would settle in for the next 3 innings. Following a Cavalier error in the bottom of the third, a RBI singles by Melo and Boyette tied the game, before Keyton Smith drove home 2 with a double down the right field line. Petrey drove in the 5th run of the inning with a fielders choice and the Night Hawks led 5-2. TU added an unearned run in the 6th for the 6-2 win.
Catcher Jake Webb (2-2, BB) was perfect at the plate, and Alexander picked up the win on the mound. Justin pitched 3 scoreless innings for the save.
The Night Hawks are back in action on Tuesday, February 6, when they travel to Jacksonville, FL to take on Trinity Baptist college in a doubleheader. First pitch is at 3pm. You can follow all the action at www.tunighthawks.com.