THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Thomas University outscored Ave Maria (Fla.) 33-12 Friday afternoon, winning two games of the Sun Conference doubleheader held at Varnedoe Stadium. 

TU won the first game, 16-6, then took the second game 17-6. 

The teams take the field tomorrow at noon in the final game of the series. Prior to Saturday's game, Thomas will retire former baseball coach Mike Lee's No. 54 jersey. In a pregame ceremony, the department of athletics will unveil a sign saluting No. 54, which will hang on the outfield fence at Varnedoe Stadium. Lee will throw out the first pitch surrounded by his family, university administration, alumni and special guests. Fans are invited to meet and greet with Coach Lee at a barbecue down the third base line. 

Game One
Thomas scored two in the bottom of the fourth to take the 6-5 lead, then plated four in the fifth and three in each of the final two innings to earn the 16-6 victory. Starter Justin Young allowed five runs from eight hits in 4.1 innings, then reliever Holden Alexander earned the win, striking out one and allowing one run from four hits in 1.1 innings. Chance Carter picked up the save allowing just one hit in 2.1 innings. 

Logan Place was 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI while Jake Webb was also 3-for-5 with an RBI. 

Ave Maria scored a pair in the top of the first, then TU answered with three in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Chase Hinson was hit by a pitch, then with two outs, Taylor Westbrook and Young each drew walks to load the bases. A walk to Wyatt Petrey, a base hit from Gavin Murphy and a drawn walk by Landon Boyette in three straight at bats plated TU's first three runs. 

Webb doubled to lead off the second, then Jalbert Melo sent a one-out sac fly to center to score Thomas' fourth run, in the bottom of the second inning. 

Ave Maria scored three runs from four hits in the fourth, then TU added two more runs in the bottom of the inning. Boyette singled then Place hit an RBI double in back-to-back at bats. Then Place scored after a sac bunt by Webb, a groundout by Hinson and Melo reaching on an error. 

TU added four more runs in the fifth, all with two outs. Boyette walked, Place singled, then advanced on an error, which plated Boyette. Webb hit an RBI single then Hinson had a base hit. Jarrod Beegle, who was pinch running for Webb, scored on a passed ball. Melo drew a walk, then Westbrook tagged an RBI single. 

Ave Maria scored one more in the top of the sixth, but Thomas struck again in the seventh and eighth with three runs in each frame. In the seventh, Hinson drew a walk, Melo singled and Westbrook drew a walk to load the bases. Then Young was walked to push Hinson across the plate. Then a wild pitch plated Melo. 

In the eighth, Place hit a leadoff double, then Webb singled. With one out, Melo was hit by a pitch then Place scored on a passed ball. Westbrook reached on an error by the right fielder, which allowed Beegle to score the final run. 

Game Two
Thomas came out strong in the second game, scoring four in the first and 12 in the second to take the early 16-0 lead. AMU plated three in the fifth, Thomas added one in the sixth and Ave Maria scored three more in the seventh, giving TU the 17-6 victory. 

Dillon Rutland earned the win for TU, striking out two while giving up three runs from eight hits in 5.2 innings. 

Gavin Murphy was 2-for-2 with a home run and a double, five RBI and one run scored. Young was 2-for-3 with three RBI, a double and three runs scored. 

With one out in the first, Hinson singled, then stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw. Melo hit an RBI single, then Westbrook tagged a base hit of his own. Young drew a walk and Murphy sent a sac fly to left, plating Melo. Young stole second, and Miller, who was running for Westbrook, scored on the error by the catcher. Boyette's base hit scored TU's fourth run of the inning. 

Thomas scored 12 runs from seven hits and two errors in the second inning. With one out, Hinson was hit by a pitch, then advanced to second on an error by the pitcher and stole third. Melo hit an RBI double, then Miller singled and Young's double plated two more runs. Murphy tagged a two-run homer to give TU the 9-0 lead. Thomas was then dealt four straight walks to Boyette, Place, Beaty and Webb. After  pitching change for Ave Maria, Hinson hit an RBI single, then Melo reached on an error by the shortstop. With two outs, Young hit an RBI single and Murphy connected on a two-RBI double. 

In the fifth, AMU scored three runs from three hits and two TU errors. 

Thomas' final run came in the sixth as Miller hit a leadoff single, then with one out, Dominic Berlin was walked. Beegle, pinch hitting for Boyette, reached on an error by the secondbaseman to load the bases. Keefer Beaty drew a walk and picked up an RBI.  

In the top of the seventh, AMU scored three runs from four hits.