GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Thomas University softball team split a pair of games on Saturday at the Gulf Shores Invitational Tournament, beating Louisiana State University Alexandria 2-0, then falling, 9-6, to No. 18 Central Methodist University (Mo.). 

The Night Hawks are 1-3 in the tournament with games against Avila University (Mo.) and RV Lyon College to be played Sunday. 

Game One
Thomas collected eight hits to LSU-A's three, scoring two runs in the seventh to earn the Night Hawks' first victory of the tournament. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Thomas' defense stranded three LSU-A runners, then TU plated two in the top of the seventh to take the win. Freshman Addyson Mauldin hit a leadoff double to right center, then freshman Michaela Farr put down a sac bunt to move Mauldin to third. With two outs, senior Amy Latner doubled to right, scoring TU's first run. Then senior Shelby Stephens singled to right to plate the second run of the inning. 

Three sophomore pitchers combined for the shutout victory. Emily Bowne threw 4.0 innings, then Margarita Sena tossed 1.1 innings of relief before Shealah Brown came in to earn the win for Thomas. Brown gave up just one hit in 1.2 innings of work. 

Game Two
Thomas got on the board with one run in the third inning, then No. 18 Central Methodist answered with seven runs in the top of the fourth. Each team plated one in the sixth, and the Eagles added one in the top of the seventh to take the 9-2 advantage. Thomas scored four in the bottom of the seventh to put up a final fight, but came up short, 9-6. 

Redshirt sophomore Rebecca Boesen started the game for Thomas, striking out three, but giving up seven earned runs from six hits and five walks in 4.0 innings to take the loss. 

Junior Holly Campbell connected on a pair of hits, drove in one run and scored a pair of runs. Senior Gaby Mora also tagged two hits, stole one base, scored once and recorded an RBI.