AVE MARIA, Fla. – The Thomas University baseball team cruised past Ave Maria, 11-1, on Saturday at Bowie's Ballpark to win its third straight Sun Conference series. 

The Night Hawks have taken 2-of-3 games from Ave Maria, Warner and Webber International, to compile a 22-20 overall and 8-10 Sun Conference record. 

Thomas took off early in Saturday's game, knocking in five runs in the top of the first inning. The Night Hawks added one in the third and fourth, then two in the fifth before AMU scored one run on a sac fly in the bottom of the fifth. TU put up two more in the top of the seventh to win, 11-1. 

Thomas outhit AMU 15-4 in the game, and recorded a home run and four doubles. 

Catcher Jacob Schmidt was 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, and tallied five RBI, one walk and one run scored. Centerfielder Keefer Beaty was also 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. 

Shortstop Chase Hinson continued his hot weekend with a pair of doubles, an RBI and two runs scored. Hinson tagged eight hits, including a trio of doubles, in the three-game series with AMU. 

Pitcher Patrick Haley tossed all 7.0 innings for the Night Hawks, striking out seven while allowing just one run from four hits and a walk. 

The Night Hawks return to Varnedoe Stadium next weekend to face University of South Carolina Beaufort Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 3 p.m., then travel to Lakeland, Fla., to battle No. 1 Southeastern University April 26-27 in the final games of the regular season.