MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Sun Conference Tournament Champion Thomas University baseball team ended its 2019 season Wednesday with a 14-3 loss to William Jessup University (Calif.) in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round held at Mainieri Field. 

William Jessup scored one run in the top of the first, then Thomas tied the game in the bottom of the frame with a solo home run to right field from Jake Bryan. The Warriors proceeded to score 13 runs over the next eight innings to take a 14-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. 

Thomas plated a pair of runs in the final frame after leadoff hitter Jake Webb was hit by a pitch, then Randy Heller doubled to left. Keefer Beaty was also hit by a pitch to load the bases. Chase Hinson reached on a fielder's choice, which allowed Webb to score. Luis Martinez then grounded out to third, plating Heller for the team's final run. 

Starter Owen Simonds (1-1) took the loss for Thomas after allowing four runs from seven hits in 2.0 innings. 

The Night Hawks end the season 30-26 overall with a 4-0 mark in the Sun Conference Tournament and a 2-2 record in the Opening Round. 

Chase Hinson led the team with a .347 batting average, 76 hits, 55 runs scored, 17 doubles and four triples. Jake Bryan led the Night Hawks with 13 home runs, including one in each of the NAIA Opening Round games, 61 RBI and .580 slugging percentage. 

On the mound, Caleb Rogers' 3.28 ERA in 13 appearances was the best on the team, and both Chance Carter and Jorge Meran led the squad with seven wins. Meran struck out a team high 86 batters in 96.0 innings, and Hassan Westbrook recorded eight saves for Thomas.