Box Score HOOVER, Ala. – The Thomas University baseball team did not skip a beat from its win earlier in the week, taking Game One against Asbury University 9-5 Friday evening at the Hoover Met Complex.
 
Both the Night Hawks (4-1) and the Eagles (0-1) recorded 12 hits apiece, as Thomas had just one error.  Freshman Pitcher Riley Fisher (2-0) pitched five and one-third innings, allowing seven hits and one earned run while recording five strikeouts.
 
For the first time in program history, the pitching staffs for both the Green & White and the opponent finished with the same amount of strikeouts as each team's respective scored runs.  Friday also marks the first win over an NCAA opponent for Head Coach Tom Fleenor at Thomas.
 
For the fifth, consecutive contest, the Night Hawks gave up the opening run in the first inning, but once again, Thomas would respond in fashion.  Redshirt Freshman Cameron Rosario began the third inning with a leadoff single, igniting a three-run, three-hit inning that saw Sophomore Turner Maddox blast a 3RBI double to left field to give the Night Hawks its first lead of the day, 3-1.
 
Thomas would extend its lead to four runs (5-1) in the fifth inning, as Redshirt Junior Anthony Dorak and Redshirt Senior Brad Toxen each recorded their seventh RBIs of the season.
 
TU began to lose steam in the bottom of the sixth, as Asbury (Ky.) added a quick run to the score line (5-2) before Fisher was pulled in favor of Freshman Right-Hander Justin Montanez.  After recording a strikeout and intentionally walking another player, the native of Spring Hill, Fla. got the Night Hawks out of a jam with a flyout to third that left the bases loaded for the Purple & White.
 
After Thomas added another run to its lead, the Eagles would this time capitalize from the plate in the bottom of the seventh, tallying three runs in four hits to bring the scoring difference to one run (6-5).  But just as it appeared the Eagles were making process, the Night Hawks matched Asbury's runs in the top of the eighth.  Freshman Matthew Delay Jr.'s lone hit of the day resulted in a double, setting up back-to-back RBIs from the next two at-bats.  After recording his only RBI of the day, Rosario stole a pair of bases to set up a sacrifice fly from Freshman Khadin Bastian to give TU a 9-5 lead.
 
Once again, Thomas looked to Freshman Right-hander Zachary Buelk to seal the deal on the mound, pitching the eighth and ninth innings allowing one hit and throwing two strikeouts in eight batters faced.
 
TU by the Numbers
6:        Night Hawks recording hits
9:        RBIs
12:      Hits
16:      Total Night Hawks who played
425:    Career wins for Head Coach Tom Fleenor
 
Thomas will conclude its series with Asbury (Ky.) in doubleheader fashion.  First pitch at Hoover Met Complex is set for 11 a.m. CST.
 
For up-to-date information on these games 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 @NightHawksBaseba.