WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Thomas University softball team lost its series opener against Keiser Friday afternoon, with the Seahawks scoring all five runs in the bottom of the third after a two-out grand slam stunned TU, 5-0.

The Night Hawks (20-15, 7-9 SUN) outhit the Seahawks in the contest, but were unable to string many hits together, as the team's best chances early on in the game went by without a score heading into the third. 

The top of the third saw the Night Hawks pick up a walk and a hit, but a failed steal, line out, and groundout closed the inning with a single runner left on first. 

The bottom of the third saw a pair of leadoff hits from Keiser's (18-21-1, 7-12 SUN) first two batters, placing runners on first and third with no outs. 

An ensuing sacrifice fly then brought the first run of the contest across before a pair of walks loaded the bases. 

With the bases fully loaded, the Night Hawks now faced Keiser's best home run hitter, Cassie Querry, who sent a homer past the left field fence for her first career grand slam as a Seahawk, extending KU's lead to 5-0. 

Despite the unfavorable events of the third, TU nearly closed the gap in the sixth, as the Night Hawks put two runs across home plate before two consecutive outs with the bases loaded eliminated Thomas' chances of a late game comeback, 5-2. 

Inside the pitching circle, TU's Larran Carter fell to 12-7 on the year allowing five earned runs on four hits. Keiser's starter Lizzy Small improved to 9-11 on the year after allowing two runs on eight Night Hawk hits.

In the end, Keiser was able to win the ballgame in the third, as the Seahawks strung three of their four hits in this frame, before a pair of walks represented all five runs in the ballgame. 

Next up, the Night Hawks will finish the series on Saturday, with games two and three scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Alumni Field. 

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.