MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Thomas University pitchers Amber Griffin and Dale Elmore combined to strike out seven St. Thomas University Bobcats in the Night Hawks' 3-0 victory Friday at The Colonel. TU fell in the second game, 11-2.
 
The Night Hawks are now 11-11 on the season with a 2-3 conference record.
 
Thomas wraps up the Sun Conference series with St. Thomas University on Saturday at noon in Miami Gardens, Fla.
 
Game One
Amber Griffin started in the circle for TU, striking out four and scattering six hits in 4.0 innings. Dale Elmore came in for 3.0 innings of relief, earning the save after striking out three, allowing just one hit and holding the Bobcats scoreless. TU stranded eight Bobcat runners, including a bases loaded situation in the fifth.
 
Averie Sheppard started the game with a leadoff double to left, then scored as Holly Campbell singled up the middle and advanced to second on the throw. Campbell then moved to third on a sac bunt from Addyson Mauldin and ultimately scored as Adreanna Killingsworth grounded out to shortstop.
 
Thomas added another run in the second, as Ava Nunez hit a leadoff single to left and moved around on a sac bunt from Elizabeth Soto. After Grace Hodges was called out on batter's interference, Hailie Stewart singled to right, then Sheppard connected on an infield base hit to plate Nunez.
 
Sheppard went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored, and Soto tagged a double for the Night Hawks.
 
Game Two
Averie Sheppard hit a leadoff infield single, then moved around on a pair of sac bunts, and scored on a wild pitch to give Thomas a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
 
St. Thomas plated five runs in the second, connecting four hits, including a three-run homer.
 
The Night Hawks added a second run in the top of the third as Grace Hodges tagged an infield single then advanced on the STU fielding error that allowed Hailie Stewart to reach first. After a TU strike out and a line out, Addyson Mauldin hit a two-out single up the middle to plate Hodges.
 
St. Thomas again scored five runs in the third and added one more in the fourth to take home the 11-2 win in five innings.
 
Sheppard connected on two hits, including her second double of the day. Grace Hodges went 2-for-2 with a run scored.
 
Pitcher Leanne Lain scattered six hits and allowed five runs in 2.0 innings to take the loss for TU.