LAKE WELLS, FL | The Thomas University Softball Team (2-2, 0-0 SSAC) showcased stellar offense in their series sweep against the Royals of Warner University (0-4, 0-0 SUN) on Friday evening.
Game One
The Royals would strike first and plate one run in the bottom of the 1st inning. They would then add two more runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning, as well as two additional runs in the bottom of the 4th inning.
Trailing 5-0, the Night Hawks' bats would come to life in the top of the 5th inning. They would produce two runs courtesy of 4 hits. Grace Hodges would begin the inning with a double to left center field and would later score on an Ansley Eason single. Eason would then score on a Kennedy Hardy single. This inning would cut the deficit to 3 runs, 2-5.
In the following inning, the Night Hawks would produce seven runs on five hits. Kristen Stellar would kickstart the inning with a double to center field and would score on a Hailie Stewart single. Averie Sheppard would reach on an error, allowing Ava Nunez, who pinch ran for Monk, to cross the plate. Stewart would score on an Ansley Eason sacrifice fly. Then, a Kennedy Hardy double would produce 2 RBI's. Kristen Stellar would then hit a 2 RBI double to plate two more runs. After the inning, the Night Hawks would lead 9-5.
The Night Hawks would plate one more additional run in the top of the 7th inning. Averie Sheppard would triple to left field and cross the plate via an Ansley Eason single.
Amber Griffin would be credited with the win for the Night Hawks.
The dominant offensive production in the 6th inning would propel the Night Hawks to a 10-5 victory in the first game of the doubleheader.
Game Two
The Night Hawks would strike first in the second game. In the top of the 3rd inning, Thomas would produce 4 runs on 2 hits. Averie Sheppard would score on an Adreanna Killingsworth sacrifice fly. Stellar and Eason would score via an Annalise Buncy 2 RBI double.
However, in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Warner would produce 5 runs on 7 hits. In the following inning, the Royals would plate 2 more additional runs. Thomas would trail 4-7 heading into the top of the 5th inning.
The Night Hawks would refuse to be denied. In the top of the 6th inning, the Night Hawks would plate 6 runs on 4 hits. Averie Sheppard would score via an error, then Kristen Stellar would score on a passed ball. Jaelynn Vialpando would then send a blast over the left center field fence to plate 2 runs. Annalise Buncy would then triple to right field and score on a wild pitch. After this dominant inning, Thomas would lead the Royals 12-7.
In the top of the 7th inning, Thomas would produce 1 run on 2 hits. Kristen Stellar would begin the inning with a single to left field. Stellar would later score on a Jaelynn Vialpando single.
Emylee Mountin was credited with the win for Thomas.
The Night Hawks would take the victory, 13-7, sealing their first series sweep of the 2024 season.
Next Up
The Night Hawks will be back in action on February, 10th in a doubleheader match-up against #22 Southeastern University. The first game will begin at 12:00 PM in Lakeland, FL.
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of your TU Softball team by following them via X, previously known as Twitter, at @NightHawksSoftb.
