THOMASVILLE, Ga. – For the first seven innings, it appeared as if the Thomas University baseball was on its way to an early-season upset.  But for the second time this season, a barrage of runs in a late inning doomed the Night Hawks, falling to the Eagles 11-5 Friday night at Varnedoe Stadium.
 
Thomas (2-7, 0-3 TSC) recorded six hits off the vaunted pitching unit of Faulkner (6-0). 
 
Senior Pitcher Patrick Haley (0-2) had a great start on the mound, nearly pitching a full eight innings.  In that span, Haley allowed five runs in nine hits with four errors and nine recorded strikeouts. 
 
The Night Hawks got on the board first through a Faulkner error, as Freshman Jayson Zmejkoski brought home an unearned run and rounded the bases off an Eagle centerfielder to take a 2-0 lead.  The Blue, Black & White would quickly tie the game in the top of the fourth with an Alex Arauz home run and a Justin Lara RBI with the bases loaded.
 
In the seventh inning, a beautifully executed bunt from Redshirt Junior Rodwell Munoz got the outfielder on base, which set up an opportunity to advance bases on the next at-bat as the Eagles were focused on preventing Redshirt Junior Brad Toxen from scoring.  Faulkner only delayed the inevitable, however, as Freshman Colby Tabb singled to shortstop to drive home Munoz for the go-ahead run.
 
The game started to slip away from the Hunter Green & White in the top of the eighth, as three base hits and a fielder's choice to third led to a tied game again (3-3).  TU called time following the third run scored by Faulkner to regroup, and elected to keep in Haley at the mound.  The next at-bat, however, would end up being the West Palm Beach, Fla. native's last batter faced of the night, as FLK's Tommy Reyes-Cruz would capitalize on a 2RBI double to give Faulkner its first of the night 5-3. 
 
The Eagles would extend its lead in the ninth, scoring six unanswered runs of five hits.  The Night Hawks would not go down without a fight, however, as Freshman Luis Torres' at-bat with the bases loaded resulted in a walk, bringing home a run (11-4).  TU would then cut the deficit to six runs on the very next at-bat, as a fielder's choice off Redshirt Junior Victor Terrero's hit brought home Munoz.  The comeback attempt was short-lived, as Faulkner made the final putout on the next play to secure the non-conference.
 
TU by the Numbers
1:       Stolen Bases
4:       RBIs
5:       Total Runs Scored
6:       Total Hits
9:       Strikeouts recorded for Patrick Haley
 
Thomas returns to the outfield Saturday to finish the series with a doubleheader.  The first pitch in the first game is slated for 1 p.m.
 
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, and feature stories of your TU baseball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawkBaseba.