THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University baseball team split Friday's Sun Conference double header with Florida Memorial University, falling 9-6 in the first game, then winning the second 3-1 at Varnedoe Stadium.
The teams will face off in the rubber match Saturday at noon.
Game One
After four scoreless innings, FMU put up five runs in the top of the fifth, then Thomas scored two in the bottom of the frame. The Lions plated one in the sixth and three in the seventh to go ahead 9-2. The Night Hawks put up a good fight, scoring four in the bottom of the ninth, but came up short, falling, 9-6.
Starting LHP
Thomas Sorrentino pitched 5.0 innings, allowing five runs from eight hits while striking out three to take his second loss of the season.
Leftfielder
Levi O'Steen was 2-for-4 with three RBI and a pair of stolen bases while thirdbaseman
Jose Quintana also had a pair of hits and two RBI and shortstop
Chase Hinson tagged two hits, scored twice, recorded an RBI and stole one base. Thomas recorded four doubles in the game, one each from Hinson, O'Steen, Quintana and rightfielder
Brandon Paez.
After allowing five runs from six hits in the top of the fifth, Thomas scored two runs from a double and a pair of base hits in the bottom of the inning. Hinson doubled to lead off the inning, then back-to-back singles from catcher
Jake Webb and O'Steen plated the Night Hawks' first run. A double steal by O'Steen and Beaty set up a sac fly opportunity for Quintana to plate Beaty.
Down 9-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Thomas scored four runs from four hits. With one out, secondbaseman
Luis Martinez drew a walk then centerfielder
Landon Boyette singled and both players advanced a base on a wild pitch. A single by Hinson plated Martinez. With two outs, O'Steen doubled, picking up a pair of RBI.
Game Two
Right hander
Chance Carter earned Thomas' first victory of the season, allowing just one run from six hits in 7.0 innings.
In the bottom of the first inning, leadoff hitter Boyette tagged a homerun to give TU the 1-0 lead.
Then with one out in the bottom of the third, O'Steen jacked a two-run homer to put the Night Hawks up 3-0. O'Steen also drew two walks and stole one base in the game for TU.
