HOOVER, Ala. – Despite a two-run ninth inning, Thomas University baseball came up short, 8-7, to Talladega College Friday afternoon.
 
Down by three in the top of the ninth, leadoff batter Josh Johnson was hit by a pitch, then moved around on consecutive base hits from Brooks Rikeman and Matthew Delay Jr.
 
 After a Talladega pitching change, Johnson scored when Khadin Bastian drew a bases-loaded walk. With the bases still loaded, Luis Rodriguez-Gallo sent a sac fly to center, plating Rikeman, and drawing the score within one, 8-7.
 
Cam Williams then drew a walk to again load the bases, but the Night Hawks lined into a double play to end the game.
 
Thomas falls to 0-4 on the season.
 
Bryce Bitting was 2-for-4 at the plate with a 3-run homer, a run scored and a walk. Rodriguez-Gallo scored twice and collected a pair of RBI for the Night Hawks. Williams, Johnson and Michael Sowers each connected on a double in the game.
 
Alex Friesen earned the start for Thomas, pitching 4.0 innings. He struck out six while allowing seven runs, four earned, from eight hits. He also walked two batters.
 
Thomas will complete the three-game set with Talladega College on Saturday, with first pitch of game two at 11:30 a.m., followed by the final game at 1 p.m.