GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Thomas University softball team posted a pair of wins in the Gulf Coast Invitational, defeating Louisiana State University Alexandria, 6-2, and Campbellsville University (Ky.), 9-0.
The game two shutout of the Tigers was TU's fifth of the season.
Lauren West earned the win for the Night Hawks, allowing just three hits and striking out five in a five-inning complete game.
Game One
Thomas got on the board first against LSU-A, scoring one in the first, another in the third and four in the fifth. The Generals plated two in the seventh, but it wasn't enough and TU took home the win.
Seven Night Hawks swiped a base in the game and none were caught stealing.
Gaby Mora collected a pair of extra-base hits, including a triple and a double, drove in a run and scored one. West struck out five and allowed just two runs from seven hits in seven innings.
Victoria led off the bottom of the first with a single, stole second, and moved to third on a ground out by
Kait Stoltz. Mora then tripled to plate TU's first run.
In the third, Stoltz singled and stole second, then scored on a single by
Kelsey Connolly.
TU's four runs in the fifth came from a pair of hits a two errors by the Generals. Mora led off the inning with a double, then with one out,
A.J. Weiss walked and stole second. Both Night Hawks advanced on a wild pitch. Weiss then scored after a walk to
Michael Cooper and a passed ball.
Izzy Ekstam singled and
Taisa Kirindongo reached on an error, which plated Brianna Mendoza, who was pinch running for Cooper. Ekstam then scored as Camina reached on an error.
A trio of base hits and one TU error allowed LSU-A to score a pair of runs in the final frame.
Game Two
Five runs in the first gave Thomas the early lead and the Night Hawks didn't let up, scoring one in the fourth and three in the fifth to complete the 9-0 shutout.
Kirindongo went 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles and an RBI, while Camina, Stoltz and Ekstam each connected on a pair of hits. Ekstam and Connolly each added a double for the Night Hawks.
TU tallied seven hits in the first inning, as the first five batters – Camina, Stoltz, Mora, Connolly and Weiss - connected on a hit. Then with two outs, Ekstam and Kirindongo recorded back-to-back doubles.
Kirindongo's second double led off the top of the fourth, then she scored on a base hit by Camina.
Three hits produced three runs in the fifth for Thomas. With one out, Weiss reached on an error, then with two outs, Ekstam and Kirindongo cracked consecutive base hits. A passed ball plated Weiss, then Corryne Diaz collected a pair of RBI on a base hit.
