PULASKI, TN  | On Saturday afternoon, the Thomas University Night Hawks (21-20) squared off against the Tennessee Southern Firehawks (12-22) in a three game conference series.

TENNESSEE SOUTHERN 12, THOMAS 2

The Night Hawks would get on the scoreboard in the first inning starting with a Kason Buie walk, Mike Sowers followed with a ground ball to third base and beat out the throw to deny the double play. Max Pickert walked to give TU runners on first and second with just one out. JT Whatley hit a hard line drive single to left field to allow Sowers to score from second base and give the Night Hawks an early 1-0 lead.
 
Tennessee Southern quickly turned the tide in the bottom of the first with two powerful 2-RBI home runs, swinging the score to a 4-1 lead in their favor. In the top of the second inning, TU narrowed the gap as Sowers's sacrifice fly brought in Hunter Kern, who had walked earlier, making it 4-2. However, the Firehawks surged with nine runs in the final three innings, securing a convincing 13-2 win in game one of the series.

THOMAS 7, TENNESSEE SOUTHERN 5

In the top of the first inning with one on and one out, Max Pickert hit a deep fly ball over the right field wall to give the Night Hawks a 2-0 lead. The tides would change in the bottom of the second inning as the Firehawks would score a run on a deep fly ball to cut the lead to just one for TU 2-1.
 
In the bottom of the third inning, Tennessee Southern capitalized on their momentum from game one. They started the inning with a triple, followed by a line drive single to left field, tying the score at 2-2. Despite managing two consecutive outs, the Firehawks  aggressive baserunning paid off with a stolen base, putting a runner in scoring position. Despite a ground ball to third base, a wide throw allowed the runner from second to score, giving UTS their first lead of the game, 3-2.
 
The Night Hawks were determined to seize control of the game in the top of the fourth inning. After Turner Maddox reached first base on an infield single, Cameron Rosario stepped up to the plate with two outs. With a powerful swing, Rosario launched a home run to deep centerfield, propelling TU into a one-run lead 4-3 and reclaiming the momentum for the Night Hawks. The Firehawks continued to fight back in the bottom of the frame as a lead-off home run tied the game at four, following a walk and an RBI double TSU took the lead right back 5-4.
 
In the top of the sixth inning, Turner Maddox was hit by the first pitch, setting the stage for Gabe Tafelski's double to right center field, putting Night Hawks on second and third with no outs. Cameron Rosario stepped up and delivered a clutch single to center field, scoring both runners to regain the lead 6-5. In the top of the ninth, TU added one more run to seal their 7-5 victory.

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