JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Thomas University softball team defeated Trinity Baptist College in both games of the season-opening double header, 9-2 and 13-3, Saturday afternoon.
 
The Night Hawks next travel to West Point, Ga., to face Point University in a double header on Feb. 17.
 
 
Game One
The Night Hawks opened the season with a 9-2 victory over TBC.
 
After taking a one-run lead in the first, Averie Sheppard connected on a three-run triple in the second inning. Hailie Stewart then hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give TU the 6-0 lead.
 
Leah Grant scored on a passed ball in the sixth then the Night Hawks tallied a pair of runs with the bases loaded in the seventh as Kennedy Hardy drove in one with an RBI single and Briana Boggs was hit by a pitch to plate the final run for TU.
 
Trinity hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, then TU struck out the final batter to end the game, 9-2.
 
Sheppard, Holly Campbell and Addyson Mauldin each had a pair of hits for the Night Hawks.
 
Amber Griffin earned the win on the mound, striking out three while allowing no runs in 4.0 innings.
 
 
Game Two
Thomas run-ruled TBC in the second game, 13-3, collecting 16 hits.
 
Holly Campbell went 4-for-4 at the plate, connecting on a double and drawing a walk. Addyson Mauldin and Averie Sheppard also each recorded a double for the Night Hawks. Ava Nunez scored four times, getting on base with a pair of hits and drawing two walks.
 
Thomas plated five runs from five hits in the first inning, then added one in the second and two in the third before Trinity finally got on the board with three runs in the third inning. Thomas answered with two in the next frame and tacked on three more in the sixth to take the 13-3 win.
 
Nunez started the game on the mound for TU, striking out two and not allowing a hit in her 2.0 innings. Michelle Norvell then came in for relief, allowing one hit in 1.0 innings. Leanne Lain earned the win, tossing the final 3.0 innings, allowing three runs from three hits and walking a trio of batters in 3.0 innings.