COCHRAN, Ga.— The Thomas Night Hawks broke open a tie game with a three-run sixth inning and held on to defeat the Middle Georgia Knights 7-4 on Friday afternoon at Knights Field.
The Night Hawks racked up 10 hits, led by
Annalise Buncy, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Ashlyn Powell provided the biggest swing of the day, as the freshman delivered a bases-clearing triple in the sixth that gave Thomas a commanding lead and Powell her first career hit as a Night Hawk.
Thomas struck first, scoring a run in the second inning and adding another in the third. Middle Georgia responded in the fifth with an RBI single, but the Night Hawks' three-run sixth, followed by two insurance runs in the seventh, proved to be the difference.
Sierra Ussery earned the win, tossing four shutout innings, allowing six hits while striking out one.
Darian Pippin and
Cameron Clontz combined to close out the victory, with Clontz recording the save.
the Knights were led by Mel Bullock, who drove in three runs with a home run in the seventh, but the rally fell short. Giving the Night Hawks their second win over a ranked team this season.
In game two a late push by Thomas wasn't enough to overcome early struggles, as the Night Hawks fell to the Knights.
After four scoreless innings, Thomas broke through in the fifth with three runs, sparked by a home run from A. Adams, who finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs. The Night Hawks tacked on a run in the sixth and added two more in the seventh, but defensive miscues and timely hitting by Middle Georgia proved too much to overcome.
Thomas struggled defensively, committing seven errors, which led to multiple unearned runs for the Knights.
Baileigh Herrera took the loss, allowing five runs—one earned—on five hits over 3.1 innings. The Thomas bullpen couldn't contain the Knights offense, surrendering six additional runs over the final three frames.
Middle Georgia capitalized on early opportunities, scoring in five consecutive innings and tallying 11 hits, including extra-base hits from Madison Cosgrove, who finished 4-for-4 with a triple, double, and two RBIs.
Despite the loss, Thomas showed resilience at the plate.
Kristin Steller reached base four times via walks, stealing two bases, while
Grace Hodges contributed a two-hit performance, including an RBI double.
Thomas will close out the weekend with another SSAC matchup as they take on Brewton-Parker tomorrow at 1:00 PM
