MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Thomas University softball team made a late rally in the sixth inning, but came up short, 5-4, to St. Thomas University in Sun Conference action at The Colonel Saturday afternoon.
 
The teams split Friday's games, with TU winning the first outing, 3-0, and STU taking the second game 11-2.
 
The Night Hawks are now 11-12 overall and 2-4 in the league.
 
Averie Sheppard reached on an infield error to start the game, then stole second base. Holly Campbell put down a sac bunt to advance Sheppard to third base. Addyson Mauldin flew out to right field for the second out. Adreanna Killingsworth singled through the right side to plate Sheppard and give TU a 1-0 lead.
 
St. Thomas connected on four hits to score three runs in the bottom of the first. Thomas stranded two runners to hold the score at 3-1.
 
St. Thomas added two more in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 5-1.
 
In the top of the sixth, Jaelynn Vialpando doubled to right and AnnMarie McAfee reached on a fielding error. Pinch hitter Emma Alley cracked a 3-run homer to left, her first bomb of the year. After a pitching change, Grace Hodges grounded out. Hailie Stewart drew a walk and Sheppard singled down the left field line, but Campbell lined out to left and Addyson Mauldin grounded out to second to end the inning.
 
Sheppard was 3-for-4 with one run scored and Vialpando connected on two hits.
 
Amber Griffin struck out three in 3.1 innings while allowing five runs from four hits, two walks and one batter was hit by a pitch. Dale Elmore came in for 2.2 innings of relief, striking out three, allowing two hits and walking one.
 
Next weekend Webber International University comes to Thomasville to face the Night Hawks at 1 p.m. Friday, then the teams play a double header on Saturday starting at noon.