COCHRAN, GA  |  On Wednesday afternoon, the Thomas University Night Hawks (21-19) squared off against the Middle Georgia State Knights (17-19) in a mid-week conference match-up. Earlier this season, TU swept the Knights in a three-game series in Thomasville.
 
The first run of the game occurred in the top of the second inning when Mike Sowers bunted down the third base line for a single, with two outs Brayden Lawhon hit a line drive single to center field, advancing Sowers to third base. Gabe Tafelski then hit a sharp ground ball to the shortstop, beating the throw to first base as the throw pulled the first baseman off the bag, allowing Sowers to score and give the Night Hawks a 1-0 lead.
 
In the top of the second inning, TU extended their lead with another run. Kason Buie drew a one out four pitch walk, then Max Pickert singled to left-center field, advancing Buie to third base. JT Whatley followed with a deep sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Buie to score and increasing the Night Hawks lead to 2-0.
 
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Middle Georgia State responded with a one-out RBI double, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Both defenses remained strong in the middle innings, holding the score at a standstill until the eighth inning. Middle Georgia State's offense heated up in the bottom of the eighth, with the first batter singling to right field. This was followed by a two-run homer, giving Middle Georgia their first lead of the night at 3-2 with no outs. Another run was scored with a sacrifice fly, extending the Knight's lead to 4-2.
 
In the top of the ninth inning, the Night Hawks attempted to rally as Turner Maddox led off with a walk, followed by a Buie single. Pickert then loaded the bases with a walk. Despite JT Whatley's ground out to bringing in a run, the Knights managed two consecutive outs to halt the Night Hawks comeback, ending the game with a score of 4-3 in favor of Middle Georgia.
 
The Night Hawks accumulated seven hits during the game, leaving eleven runners on base. Notably, Kason Buie and Brayden Lawhon both secured multiple hits and each drew a walk.

Thomas travels to Pulaski, TN this weekend, to face Tennessee Southern, for a three-game series.  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.