AVE MARIA, Fla. – The Thomas University baseball team started the 2023 season Friday afternoon, facing Ave Maria University in a scheduled double header at Bowie's Ballpark. The Night Hawks fell, 12-7, in the first game of the year. The second game was suspended after the sixth inning due to darkness and will resume play Saturday at 11 a.m.
 
Thomas opened the season with a 3-run first inning, but Ave Maria answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame. TU tied the game in the top of the second, then AMU went ahead by one in the third. Thomas had a big fourth inning to go ahead, 7-5, but the Gyrenes plated five in the sixth and two in the eighth to take the 12-7 victory.
 
RHP Alex Friesen earned the start on Friday, allowing five runs from two hits while striking out four in 4.0 innings. RHP Savian Loor came in for relief and took the loss after allowing four runs from five hits in the fifth inning.
 
Sophomore DH Luiz Rodriguez-Gallo went 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI including an RBI-single in the first, a double in the third and a 3-run homer in the fourth.
 
Redshirt sophomore right fielder Cam Williams added a pair of hits and scored a run for the Night Hawks.
 
The second game will be resumed Saturday, January 28, at 11 a.m. with game three of the opening series starting 30 minutes following the conclusion of game two. Both games will be broadcasted on the Sun Digital Network.