AUGUSTA, GA | The Thomas University baseball team kicked off their 2024 season Sunday afternoon, facing the Paine College Lions, in a double header, at Lions Field. Paine College, an HBCU, is a member of the NCCAA.
GAME ONE
The Night Hawks defeated the Lions by a score of 4-2, in the first game of the year.
The Lions struck first in game one in the bottom of the second and third innings to give Paine an early 2-0 lead. Thomas answered with four runs in the top of the fourth inning, to give the Night Hawks the lead. Pitching was the difference maker for the rest of the game as
AJ Wydra for TU shut down nine batters with strikeouts, and Reliever
Brandon Steele came in late to finish out the game with 1.1 innings of work allowing zero hits. The Night Hawks take the victory 4-2.
RHP
AJ Wydra earned the opening day start on Sunday, allowing only two runs on six hits, while striking out nine batters, in 5.2 innings of work. RHP
Brandon Steele entered the game late in the fifth inning and earned the save after allowing no hits while striking out four batters.
Junior Infielder
Turner Maddox went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI's including a three RBI-triple in the top of the fourth inning. Junior First Baseman
JT Whatley also added a hit and RBI in the top of the fourth to help secure the Night Hawks victory 4-2.
GAME TWO
The Thomas University Night Hawks wrapped up the first series of 2024, on Sunday afternoon, at Lions Field in Augusta, Georgia. The Night Hawks carried over the momentum, from earlier in the day, into game two, with a 11-4 victory to start the season off at 2-0.
RHP
Jacob Pino earned the start in game two, allowing three runs from four hits while striking out five in 4.0 innings of work. RHP
Brad Peacock entered the game in the fourth inning with one out and finished with 1.2 innings of work allowing zero runs with one hit and three strikeouts, RHP
Dustin Letchworth closed out the game for the Night Hawks, with 1.0 inning of work allowing one run with two hits and two strikeouts.
Sophomore Catcher, Sam Odiome, went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI's, including a RBI-single in the top of the third inning, and RBI-error in the top of the sixth. Junior Infielder
Matthew Williams added two hits and one RBI in the top of the sixth to add onto the Night Hawks 11-4 victory in game two.
The Night Hawks will begin their home schedule, this weekend, with a three-game series against Talladega. The action begins on Friday at 4pm. The series will continue on Saturday, with a double-header, starting at 1pm. The action will take place at Varedoe Stadium. For up-to-date information on awards and other TU Athletics, visit
www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, and feature stories of your TU baseball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksBaseba.
