THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Thomas University softball team celebrated Senior Day with a successful series sweep over Florida Memorial.
The exciting series sweep began in the top of the second, with the Night Hawks falling behind for the first time in the series, 1-0, after a solo FMU home run.
The short-lived Night Hawk deficit was quickly eliminated in the second, with a Taylee Braegger sacrifice bunt forcing an error, allowing Taylor Lanphere to advance home, 1-1.
TU then took the lead in the next at bat, as Chauntivia Cliatt's hit scored Michaela Farr, 2-1.
A pair of wild pitches then allowed Thomas' next two runs to score as both Braegger and Cliatt came home, 4-1.
The contest then slowed in the next inning, as a combination of stellar fielding and pitching suppressed both team's bats.
The silenced offense for the Night Hawks was short-lived, as TU again gained momentum in the bottom of the next inning, scoring four more runs in the fourth.
The first batter to reach the bases was Adreanna Killingsworth, who drew a walk, before Dara Moore watched a full-count turn into another walk, loading first and second.
In the next at bat, the Night Hawks decided to pinch-hit Larran Carter, for her first at bat of her career as a Night Hawk.
The left-handed pitcher lined up in the right-handed batter's box, singling in the infield and preparing a bases-loaded opportunity for freshman catcher Taylor Lanphere.
The standout freshman then slammed the first pitch of her at bat over the center wall for her first career home run and grand slam, extending the Night Hawk lead to a practically insurmountable margin, 8-1.
With the grand slam, Lanphere picked up RBI number 14 of her freshman campaign.
After Lanphere's bomb, the Night Hawks went on to close the contest in the sixth, as a fielder's choice placed Lanphere on first with Michaela Farr now up to bat.
Farr then fought in her at bat to receive a walk, moving Lanphere up a bag before a Taylee Braegger's hit-by-pitch loaded the bases.
Makana Pember's next at bat would be the final at bat of the day, with the senior right-fielder singling to the shortstop, advancing Lanphere home for the sixth inning run-rule, 9-1.
In the end, the Night Hawks excitingly celebrated their senior day with six of their seven seniors registering either a hit or a run.
Freshman Taylor Lanphere also stood out as the catcher celebrated her birthday with four RBI, three runs, and two hits in the dominating performance.
In Carter's final appearance at Armory Field, the senior pitcher also shined, gaining her first career hit while allowing just two hits and one earned run in her 5.2 innings pitched.
Up next, the Night Hawks will now prepare for the SUN Conference Tournament which will take place next weekend in Clearwater, Florida.
For more information regarding the SUN Tournament continue and check tunighthawks.com for additional announcements.
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.
