THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Thomas University softball team wrapped up its SUN Conference series against #10 Coastal Georgia Tuesday afternoon, losing the series finale 5-2 in seven innings.
The Night Hawks (20-14, 7-8 SUN) found themselves in an early hole for the third straight game, as the Mariners (31-5, 14-4 SUN) once again started things off in the first with a two-run home run for the third straight opening frame.
Coastal then tallied two more runs in the second before adding one final run in the fifth, 5-0.
The Night Hawks struggled to hit the ball on Tuesday, as the team's first hit didn't come until the bottom of the fifth when Holly Campbell singled through the infield before getting picked-off trying to steal second for out number three.
In the final game of the series, the Night Hawks tossed three pitchers with Leanne Lain picking up the start, followed by Adreanna Killingsworth before Allyson Mirick closed the contest.
With a 5-0 deficit heading to the bottom of the seventh, the team refocused and found success inside the batter's box, bringing home two final runs.
It all started with an Averie Sheppard single, followed by a pair of hits from Adreanna Killingsworth and Holly Campbell, loading the bases with one out with Tiana Villagomez stepping into the batter's box.
Villagomez then fought hard in the batter's box, earning a walk for run number one of the contest, 5-2.
The next batter was Kennedy Hardy, who found her first hit of the series, bringing in another run, 5-2. An infield popup was out number two before out number three came from a deep left field line-out, saving the Mariners win, and breaking the heart of the Night Hawks, 5-2.
Adreanna Killingsworth entered the contest in the second, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing just one run with six hits. Closer Allyson Myrick pitched the final inning of the contest forcing two groundouts and a strikeout, while Leanne Lain fell to 4-3 on the year allowing four runs and three hits.
Next up, the Night Hawks will travel to West Palm Beach, Fla. to compete in another SUN Conference series, this time on the road. First pitch against Keiser in Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. while Saturday's start time will be at 11 a.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.
