Columbus, GA | The Thomas University Softball Team (4-6,0-0 SSAC) made a bold statement in their debut in the NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic on Friday afternoon. On the opening day of the tournament, the Night Hawks faced off against Lawrence Tech and Georgetown. Each of the two games ended in a run-rule, supplied by the offensive production of the Night Hawks.
Game One vs. Lawrence Tech
In the top of the first inning, the Night Hawks would plate two runs courtesy of four hits. Ansley Eason would cross the plate via a Jaelynn Vialpando 2 RBI homerun.
In the following inning, the Night Hawks would plate 3 additional runs on three hits. Grace Hodges would score on an Averie Sheppard single. Sheppard would later score on a Kennedy Hardy single. Then, Eason would cross the plate via a Vialpando sacrifice bunt.
The Night Hawks would not stop there. In the top of the third inning, they would plate 3 more runs. Ava Nunez would cross the plate via an error. Sheppard and Hodges would then score on an Ansley Eason 2 RBI triple. Thomas would lead 8-0 at the conclusion of the inning.
Lawrence Tech would respond in the bottom of the third inning, by plating 2 runs on 3 hits.
The Night Hawks would keep rolling from there. In the top of the fifth inning, the Night Hawks would plate five runs on five hits. Hailie Stewart would score on an Ansley Eason sacrifice fly. Sheppard and Hodges would cross the plate via a Kennedy Hardy 2 RBI single. Faith Graben, who pinch ran for Hardy, would then score on a Jaelynn Vialpando double. An Adreanna Killingsworth single would plate Vialpando. The Night Hawks would lead 13-2.
Lawrence Tech would plate two runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth but would not produce enough to escape the Night Hawks.
The Night Hawks would take the victory, in mercy rule fashion, 13-4.
Amber Griffin would be credited with the victory.
In the contest, the Night Hawks would out-hit Lawrence Tech 14-7. Eight different Night Hawks would record a hit, of those, five Night Hawks would see a multi-hit performance.
Game Two vs. Georgetown
The Night Hawks would carry their hitting ways into game two. In the bottom of the first inning, the Night Hawks would strike first by plating one run on two hits. Averie Sheppard would kickstart the inning with a lead-off triple and would later cross the plate on an Ansley Eason single.
The score would remain the same until the top of the fourth inning, when Georgetown would produce three runs on two hits.
Trailing 3-0, the Night Hawks would regain possession of the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Ashton Lewis and Sheppard would score on a Grace Hodges 2 RBI triple. Hodges would then cross the class via an Eason sacrifice fly. The Night Hawks would hold the advantage, 4-3.
In the following inning, the Night Hawks would add two more runs to their total. Sheppard and Lewis would score on a Georgetown error, giving the Night Hawks a three-run advantage, 6-3.
In the top of the sixth inning, Georgetown would plate one run. However, in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Night Hawks would respond in a large way. They would plate six runs on three hits. Their eight-run advantage, 12-4, would end the contest in mercy rule fashion.
Sierra Ussery would be credited with the win for Thomas.
In the contest, Thomas would out-hit Georgetown 9-6. Seven different Night Hawks would record a hit.
Next Up
The Night Hawks will be back in action on February, 17th for day two of the tournament. They will play two games. The first game will begin at 11:00 AM, and the second game will follow at 1:00 PM. All games will be played at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, GA.
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.
