BABSON PARK, Fla. – The Sun Conference season opener provided a reality check for the Thomas University softball team Wednesday afternoon, falling to Webber International University 1-0 in Game One and 8-4 in Game Two at Nancy Nichols Field.
 
Game One Recap (WIU 1, TU 0)
The Hunter Green & White (9-7, 0-2 TSC) could not bounce back from an error in the bottom of the first that led to the contest's lone run being scored.  Junior Rebecca Boesen (6-2) allowed no earned runs for sixth time this season, giving up just seven hits in a full six innings pitched while recording two strikeouts.
 
With two quick outs in the third inning, Freshman Lakin Minish ignited the TU hitting game with a base hit followed by a stolen base to second.  On the next at-bat, Freshman Averie Sheppard was walked, setting up a potential socring opportunity for Thomas before Freshman Adreanna Killingsworth's flyout hit ended the top half of the inning.
 
Later in the fifth, the Lady Night Hawks built up its hitting momentum again with a doubles from Freshmen Hailie Stewart and Jada Bolar, but a follow-up grounder and a strikeout allowed WIU's outfield to escape a jam for the second time in the contest.
 
Game Two Recap (WIU 8, TU 4)
Junior Larran Carter (1-2) allowed four runs in eight hits with one registered strikeout in three innings, as Junior Sheala Brown gave up four runs with five hits.
 
After the Warriors built a 4-0 lead, Thomas would see its first run of the game in the fourth inning, as Sophomore Addyson Mauldin's hit rode the leftfield line for an RBI double to cut the deficit to three runs.  Webber would push its lead back out to four runs (5-1) in the bottom half of the inning.
 
TU snagged a pair of runs off three hits in the fifth, highlighted by Freshman Emily Roberson's second-career RBI to bring Webber's lead down to two runs (5-3).
 
The Warriors went on to add two more runs (7-3) before Freshman Jaelynn Vialpando hit a RBI single down the left line for the Hunter Green & White's final run of the day.
 
TU by the Numbers
3:          RBIs on the day
4:          Total Runs Scored on the day
9:          Different Freshmen played and Total Hits on the day
17:        Players that played in the doubleheader
TU will look to rebound at home Saturday against RV Coastal Georgia in more TSC doubleheader action.  First pitch at Armory Field is slated for 2 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 softball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksSoftb.