BABSON PARK, Fla. — The Thomas University softball team split its doubleheader against Webber International on Saturday winning game one 2-1 before falling 3-0 in the second game of the day.
Game 1, Thomas University 2, Webber International 1
Webber (21-8, 5-1 SUN) got on the board first as a walk and an error led to the bases loaded and no outs with Maddie Houtz stepping up to the plate to bat. The junior catcher then turned on a pitch and singled, bringing what proved to be Webber's lone run of the contest in the opening frame.
The Night Hawks (14-8, 1-2 SUN) still had some work to do in the first though, as an additional runner from second also attempted to come home, but TU's Larran Carter picked off Mary-Margaret Maggard on the sprint home picking up out number one and holding Webber to the single run. A pair of popups saw TU escape the bottom of the inning trailing 1-0.
After that, the Night Hawks responded in the second, when TU's Adreanna Killingsworth reached third base after an error in the outfield. Senior Holly Campbell followed in the next at bat with a single to left field, leveling the contest at one apiece.
TU nearly scored an additional run here, as AnnMarie Mcafee's infield groundout advanced Campbell to third, but the Warriors were able to generate two consecutive outs, keeping the game tied 1-1.
The final run of the contest then came in the fourth, as Tiana Villagomez's sacrifice fly brought Killingsworth home once more, in what proved to be the eventual game-winning run, 2-1.
Two Night Hawk runs would be just enough for Senior Larran Carter, as the starter held on for the win allowing just five hits and one unearned run.
Adreanna Killingsworth scored both runs for the Night Hawks with Holly Campbell and Tiana Villagomez each picking up a single RBI.
Game 2, Webber International 3, Thomas University 0
The Night Hawks were blanked in game two of the doubleheader, as a big fourth inning for Webber saw the Warrior score all three runs of the contest.
The game two loss stung a little worse for the Night Hawks, as the team registered more hits in the game but a costly error in the fourth brought two unearned runs in for the Warriors.
The bottom of the fourth began with a pair of groundouts for outs number one and two before WIU designated player Witney Bones singling through the left side for the first hit of the inning.
A pinch runner then replaced Bones on first before Genesis Aviles singled, advancing Savannah Jacobs (pinch running) to third.
TU's demise would follow, as an infield error advanced both Jacobs and Aviles home to score with Brandy Barquin reaching second on the error. A double to the outfield from Webber would follow bringing home an additional run, extending the lead to the final score of 3-0.
The Night Hawks would get on base an additional two times in the contest, but exceptional fielding and pitching was too much to overcome as Webber extended to a SUN Conference best 5-1 this season in league play.
Up next, the Night Hawks will host #21 Southeastern on Tuesday, March 22nd.
First pitch for Tuesday's doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m.
For up-to-date information on Thomas University Softball 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.
