AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Thomas University softball team avenged its Saturday performances with a game three win against the Gyrenes 5-2 on Saturday afternoon.
The Night Hawks (16-12, 3-6 SUN) took little time to score in the first, after a walk for Makana Pember brought junior Adreanna Killingsworth up to bat. Killingsworth then managed to put a single into centerfield, bringing Pember in to score and giving TU its first lead of the series, 1-0.
Thomas then doubled its lead in the second, as pinch-hitting AnnMarie McAfee sent a deep ball into left field for a sacrifice fly, advancing Hunter Williams from second to third and Michaela Farr from third to home for a run, 2-0.
A wild pitch in the ensuing at bat caught Hunter Williams trying to steal home for out number three, ending the second.
The bottom of the second saw the Lady Gyrenes cut the deficit in half, as a triple to the outfield brought in a lone run, 2-1.
After conceding a run early in the inning, a good infield hit forced a fielder's choice as the Night Hawks let a runner advance to first by eliminating an AMU runner attempting to come home.
The Night Hawks would go on to tally three more runs in the top of the fourth, with a bases-loaded walk for Makana Pember bringing in the first run of the inning, 3-1. After the walk, the Gyrenes would make a pitching change, bringing in game two's winning pitcher, Ashley Nelson.
With the bases loaded and just a lone out, a beauty of a hit from senior Dara Moore on Nelson's first pitch of the contest brought in TU's final two runs, extending the lead to 5-1.
After that, Ave Maria's best chance to tie the contest came in the sixth inning, when a pair of hits brought in a run, cutting the deficit to three with no outs.
A short fly-out brought TU out number one, but another single to the outfield had AMU runners on first and second.
A wild pitch from TU's Larran Carter then advanced both runners into scoring position before the former pitcher of the week roped in outs number two and three with a popup and fly-out.
In total, the Night Hawks and Gyrenes both tallied eight hits, while the Gyrenes had the lone error of the contest.
TU's Larran Carter (12-5) reversed the game one pitching decisionn with the victory, while Alissa Bolinger fell to 11-8.
The Night Hawks will now have a short turn-around to get prepared for another SUN Conference series, as the St. Thomas Bobcats series that was originally scheduled for March 11-12 will now be played this upcoming week. TU will host STU on March 29-30th for a slate of three games in two days. Tuesday's doubleheader is set to begin at 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.