Mt. Vernon, GA | The Thomas University softball team displayed dominant hitting in a five-inning, run-rule victory over the Barons of Brewton Parker College, but dropped a close game in the second contest of the SSAC doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.
Game One
The Night Hawks would capitalize in their first opportunity at the dish to take an early advantage over the Barons. In the top of the first inning, Kennedy Hardy would drive a ball through the middle of the infield to plate Averie Sheppard, who singled to begin the contest.
The Barons would respond in the following inning to even the score at one run a piece. In the inning, they would use one hit to plate one run.
In the top of the second inning, a Sheppard ground ball to the right side of the infield would allow Ava Nunez, who walked, to cross the plate. Sheppard's RBI would regain possession of the Thomas lead, 2-1.
A five hit, three run top of the third would further extend the Thomas advantage. Adreanna Killingsworth, Hailie Stewart, and Nunez would each produce an RBI in the inning.
Holding a 5-1 advantage to begin the top of the fifth inning, the Night Hawks would continue applying pressure on the Baron defense. Ashton Lewis would send a solo homerun over the left field fence. Then, a Grace Hodges two RBI single would plate Sheppard and Stewart. Hardy would provide the final RBI of the inning on a sacrifice fly to deep center field that would allow Hodges to cross the plate. Following the dominant inning, the Night Hawks would lead 9-1.
Sierra Ussery would prevent the Barons from producing a single run in the bottom of the fifth inning, allowing the Night Hawks to earn the victory in run-rule fashion. In five innings pitched, Ussery allowed just four hits and one earned run.
As a team, the Night Hawks outhit the Barons 13-4 in game one. Ten different Night Hawks recorded a hit. Hailie Stewart, Ansley Eason, and Averie Sheppard each produced muti-hit performances.
Game Two
The Barons would strike first in the second contest. In the bottom of the first inning, they would plate one run on two hits. This run would prove to be critical, as it would be the only run produced by either team for the remainder of the contest.
Despite several scoring opportunities, the Night Hawks would leave four stranded and fall to the Barons 1-0.
Each team would produce five hits in the contest. Grace Hodges and Averie Sheppard would each record multiple hits.
Next Up
The Night Hawks will be back in action on April 26th to take on the Eagles of Faulkner University at Armory Field. The SSAC matchup will feature a doubleheader beginning at 2 PM.
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.
