THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University baseball team defeated Talladega College, 15-13, Friday night at Varnedoe Stadium.
After starting the season 0-3, the Night Hawks have gone 7-6 in the last 13 games, with five losses to top 10 teams No. 4 Southeastern and No. 6 Faulkner.
Talladega scored seven runs over the first four innings, then Thomas (7-9, 0-3) plated six in the bottom of the fourth. Talladega added two more in the top half of the next frame, and again TU answered, this time with nine in the bottom of the sixth, taking the 15-9 lead. After a scoreless seventh, Talladega put up four in the eighth, cutting TU's lead to two.
In the fourth,
Rodwell Munoz connected on a three-run homer, then
Brad Toxen doubled down the left field line to drive in two more runs.
Jake Bryan singled to left field to plate TU's sixth run of the inning.
Toxen tagged a two-run home run in the sixth and
Austin Reed hit a two-RBI double to put Thomas ahead.
Raines Plant picked up an RBI on a single down the left field line, then after Munoz bunted and reached on an error, Plant and
Victor Terrero both scored.
Alex Mitchell reached on an infield error, allowing Munoz to score and
Maury Gonzalez reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Mitchell to score TU's final run of the inning.
Toxen was 3-for-4 with four RBI and Gonzalez, Bryan and
Luis Martinez each tagged a pair of hits.
Starting pitcher
Patrick Haley (9H, 7R, 4ER, 3BB) struck out six in his 4.0 innings, before
Ryan Pierce (2H, 2R, 1ER, 2K) came in for an inning of relief.
Brent Summers then earned the win, allowing four runs from five hits, but striking out four in 2.1 innings.
Hassan Westbrook earned the save, striking out three while giving up two hits.
Thomas and Talladega are back on the field for a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch is at noon at Varnedoe Stadium.