Thomasville, GA | The Thomas University Softball Team (0-2, 0-0) opened their 2024 season on Saturday afternoon, by hosting the Bears of (RV) Truett-McConnell University (2-2, 0-0) in a doubleheader. The match-up featured two hard-fought battles, as the Night Hawks dropped both contests by one run, each. The Bears would take game one by a score of 4-3, and game two by a score of 5-4.

Game One

The Bears would plate two runs in the top of the 1^st inning. Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the 1st inning, Ansley Eason would triple to left center field with one out. Eason would then score on a Kennedy Hardy single, cutting the deficit to one run, 2-1. 

In the 3^rd inning, Adreanna Killingsworth would reach base via hit-by-pitch. Killingsworth would advance to second base on a groundout, then to third base on a Jaelynn Vialpando single. Ashton Lewis, who pinch ran for Vialpando, would then steal second base, and Killingsworth would score on the throw. The Night Hawks would even the score, 2-2. 

The Bears would plate two more runs in the top of the 5^th inning, to lead the Night Hawks, 4-2. In the bottom of the 5^th, Kennedy Hardy would knock a one-out double. Maggie Colgan, who pinch ran for Hardy, would advance to third on a Jaelynn Vialpando single. Colgan would then score on a Keely Bryant single. 

Despite several opportunities, the Night Hawks would not produce another run. The Bears would take game one, 4-3.

Game Two

The Bears would strike first, by plating 4 runs in the 2^nd inning. The Night Hawks would then come storming back.

In the 6^th inning, Averie Sheppard would single and advance to second on a Kristen Stellar single. Sheppard and Stellar would score on a Kennedy Hardy 2 RBI single. The Night Hawks would trail by two runs, 4-2, heading into the final inning of play.

The Bears would plate one run of their own in the top of the 7^th inning and would lead the Night Hawks 5-2. Thomas would respond to the challenge. In the bottom of the 7^th, Grace Hodges would reach second base via a one-out double. Ansley Eason would then reach base on an error, advancing Hodges to third. Averie Sheppard would single, advancing Eason to second base. With bases loaded, Hailie Stewart would knock a double, scoring both Hodges and Eason. 

However, the Night Hawks would fail to produce any additional runs from there. The Bears would take game two, and the series, by a score of 5-4. 

Next Up: The Night Hawks will be back in action on February, 9^th in a doubleheader match-up against Warner University. The first game will begin at 4:00 PM in Lake Wales, 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.