THOMASVILLE, Ga. – No. 14 Thomas University's
Lauren West struck out nine in the Night Hawks' 1-0, 10-inning win over Southeastern (Fla.) University in game one Saturday afternoon at Armory Field.
Thomas lost the second game, 7-4, to Southeastern, which is receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Southeastern is atop the Sun Conference with a 13-5 record while Thomas is second at 12-4.
The Night Hawks return to Armory Field Wednesday to face USC Beaufort, beginning at 2 p.m.
Game One
Lauren West struck out nine and allowed just three hits in 10.0 innings to earn her 18th win of the season.
Gaby Mora was 2-for-4 with a double.
In the bottom of the 10th,
Taisa Kirindongo was placed on second base, and advanced to third on a base hit from
Izzy Ekstam. Shelby Stephens then hit the game winning single to left field.
Game Two
Thomas scored two runs in the bottom of the first, then SEU cut the lead in half with one in the second. The Fire added six in the sixth, and the Night Hawks could only plate two more to take the 7-4 loss.
Pitcher Margarita Sena allowed five hits, three walks and four runs in 6.0 innings to take the loss.
Victoria Camina was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored while
Michael Cooper was 2-for-3 with a home run.
Camina led off the first with a double to left center, then with two outs,
Kelsey Connolly drew a walk.
A.J. Weiss reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Camina to score TU's first run. Then Kirindongo reached on an infield error, plating Connolly.
A base hit and a TU error allowed SEU to score its first run in the top of the second. Then in the sixth, the Fire blew up for six runs from three hits and a TU error.
Thomas did cut the lead by scoring two in the bottom of the sixth. Connolly singled to right field and advanced to second on an error. She moved to third on a fly from Weiss, then scored as Kirindongo put down a sac bunt. With two outs, Cooper connected on a solo home run, her fourth of the season.
