GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Thomas University softball team went 2-3 overall in the Gulf Shores Invitational Tournament, ending the event Sunday with a 7-4 loss to Baker University and an 11-3 loss to William Carey University.
 
The Night Hawks defeated Saint Xavier 7-2 and Campbellsville University 4-3 and lost to LSU-Alexandria 4-1 in other games.
 
TU returns to Armory Field this weekend, facing College of Coastal Georgia at 2 p.m. Friday, then playing a double header at noon on Saturday.
 
 
Game One
Baker jumped out to a 7-0 lead after the second inning, then after a scoreless third, Thomas plated four runs over the next four innings.
 
In the fourth inning, Jaelynn Vialpando singled to center, driving in Addyson Mauldin for the first Night Hawk run of the game.
 
In the fifth, leadoff hitter Grace Hodges reached on an error and advanced as Hailie Stewart was hit by a pitch. After a strikeout, AnnMarie McAfee drew a walk to load the bases and Hodges scored as Mauldin reached on a throwing error. Following a pitching change, Adreanna Killingsworth sent a sac fly to right to plate Stewart.
 
TU's final run came in the top of the seventh as pinch hitter Kennedy Hardy drew a leadoff walk then scored on a base hit from Elizabeth Soto. The Night Hawks stranded a pair of runners to fall, 7-4.
 
Amber Griffin started the game for TU in the circle, allowing six runs from three hits and a pair of walked batters in 1.0 inning.  Briana Boggs came in for 5.0 innings of relief, striking out three and allowing one run from three hits.
 
Game Two
William Carey plated 10 runs through the first three innings before Thomas scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.
 
In the third, Averie Sheppard hit a leadoff single then stole second and scored as Holly Campbell hit a double to right, her eighth of the year. Campbell advanced to third on an errant throw, then scored as Mauldin grounded out to short on the next play.
 
Both teams added one run in the fifth and final inning.
 
Mauldin walked to start the fifth, and Killingsworth connected on a base hit. After a pair of pop ups, Taylor Currie reached on an error to load the bases. Briana Boggs drew a walk, plating the final run of the game.
 
Sheppard and Hodges each had a pair of hits in the game.
 
Four pitchers appeared in the second game of the day. Ava Nunez started the game (6H, 4R, 2ER, 1BB, 1.0 IP), then Boggs came in for an inning of relief (5H, 3R, 3ER). Leanne Lain tossed the next 1.1 innings (5H, 4R, 1ER) and Currie closed (0H, 0R, 1BB, 1.2 IP).