Thomasville, GA | The Thomas University Softball Team hosted the Barons of Brewton-Parker College in their first conference series of the 2024 season. Timely hitting would propel the Night Hawks to a victory in game one of the series, but the Barons would outlast the Night Hawks to take game two.
Game One
The contest would remain scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, when the Night Hawks would come to life. Adreanna Killingsworth, Hailie Stewart, and Ava Nunez would begin the inning by reaching base via three consecutive walks. With bases loaded, Kristen Stellar would execute a deep sacrifice fly that would allow Faith Graben, who pinch ran for Killingsworth, to easily score. Averie Sheppard would follow with a squeeze bunt that would allow Stewart to score, then Sheppard would get in an intentional run-down between first and second base that would allow Nunez to score. Following the inning, the Night Hawks would hold a 3-0 advantage over the Barons.
This inning would prove to make the difference, as neither team would produce any additional runs in the contest.
Amber Griffin would be credited with the complete game shutout for the Night Hawks. In her dominant performance, Griffin would face 24 batters and allow just two hits and one walk, while tallying four strikeouts.
Game Two
The Barons would flip the script in the second contest. In the top of the first inning, they would plate one run on two hits. They would then produce two more runs in the following inning to take an early 3-0 advantage over the Night Hawks.
In the bottom of second inning, Kennedy Hardy would provide a much-needed response for the Night Hawks. Hardy would send a smash over the left field fence to cut the deficit to two runs, 3-1.
Hardy's homerun would seem to provide a spark for the Thomas offense. In the bottom of the third inning, the Night Hawks would plate two additional runs to even the score. In a bases loaded situation, a hard-hit ball from the bat of Kristen Stellar would allow Sheppard and Grace Hodges to score.
The Night Hawks wouldn't stop there. In the following inning, an Ashton Lewis RBI single would allow Hailie Stewart to score. Lewis' RBI would regain possession of the lead, 4-3.
However, the Barons would quickly provide a response in the top of the fifth inning by producing one run on two hits.
With the score tied at four a piece, the Barons would provide the final response. In the top of the sixth inning, they would plate one run on two hits to lead the Night Hawks 5-4.
From there, neither team would produce any additional runs. The Barons would escape with the victory, 5-4.
Next Up
The Night Hawks will be back in action tomorrow to take on the Knights of Middle Georgia State University in another SSAC matchup. The series will feature a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM in Cochran, 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.
