DECATUR, AL | The Night Hawks made their debut in the SSAC Softball Tournament a memorable one, by playing two nail-biters on the opening day. Thomas (19-29), went 1-1 on the day, with both contests decided in the 7
th inning or later.
GAME ONE: BLUE MOUNTAIN 2, THOMAS 1
The game featuring the Toppers (21-28) and the Night Hawks was a contest that neither team could string together a series of hits to produce runs.
The contest remained scoreless, heading into the bottom of the 5th inning. Ashton Lewis would lead off the 5th inning with a home run down the left field line, to put Thomas ahead 1-0.
In the 7th inning, Blue Mountain would lead off with a walk. A sacrifice bunt would move the runner over to 2nd base. A Thomas error on the next batted ball would allow the game to be tied. After a fly-out moved the runner from 2nd bae to 3rd base, a Topper single would score the go-ahead run, giving Blue Mountain a 2-1 lead. Thomas would go down in order to close out the game.
Kennedy Hardy and Ashton Lewis would have two hits, respectively, in the game. Lewis would have the only RBI, with her solo home run. Sierra Ussery would pitch six scoreless innings and strike out three batters.
GAME TWO: THOMAS 7, BREWTON-PARKER 3 (8 Innings)
Thomas would, once again, get on the scoreboard first. In the top of the 1st inning, Averie Sheppard would draw a lead-off walk. After Sheppard stole 2nd base, she would move to 3rd base on Ansley Eason's groundout. Sheppard would score on an error on a ball hit by Kennedy Hardy, to give the Night Hawks an early 1-0 lead.
Brewton-Parker would tie the contest in the 5th inning. A lead-off single, followed by two consecutive stolen bases, would put a runner at 3rd base, with no one out. With one out, the leadoff batter would score to tie the game at 1-1.
Thomas would retake the lead in the 6th inning. AnnMarie McAfee would lead the inning off with a double. Lauren Hicks, who would pinch run for McAfee, would steal 3rd base. Jaelynn Vialpando would collect an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center field. Kristen Stellar would hit a two-out double. After Adreanna Killingsworth was walked and Hailie Stewart was hit by a pitch, Averie Sheppard would collect an RBI with a single to the right side. Thomas would lead 3-1.
Brewton-Parker would tie the game in the bottom of the 7th inning. A lead off double and a fielder choice would put two runners on, with no one out. Two singles would tie the score a 3-3.
Thomas would go into the extra inning, with bottom of the batting order due up. Kristen Stellar would get an infield single, to lead off the inning. Elizabeth Soto would follow with a walk. An Averie Sheppard infield single would load the bases. Ansley Eason would single up the middle to give Thomas the lead. Kennedy Hardy would come off the bench to hit a sacrifice fly to right field, to score Soto. An error of a AnnMarie McAfee ball would let Eason and Sheppard score.
Sierra Ussery would relieve Amber Griffin, in the bottom of the 8th inning to collect the save, giving Griffin the win. Kristen Stellar would have three hits and score two runs in the game. Averie Sheppard would also score two runs after reaching base three times. AnnMarie McAffee and Ansley Eason would also have two hits. Kennedy Hardy would drive two runs in.
The Night Hawks will face Blue Mountain, in an elimination game, Friday, at 1PM E.T. Should the Night Hawks win, they will play immediately afterwards at 3PM E.T. A win at 3PM, will mean a third game, today, at 6PM E.T. All games are must-win games for Thomas, as they are in the elimination bracket, and a second loss will eliminate the Night Hawks from the tournament. 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.
