TIFTON, Ga. – Despite a late push, the Thomas Night Hawks couldn't overcome a pivotal sixth inning by the ABAC Stallions, falling Thursday evening on the road in SSAC action.
Thomas found itself trailing early after ABAC plated two runs in the first, but the Night Hawks responded in the second when Michael Sowers reached on a hit by pitch and later scored to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The turning point came in the bottom of the sixth, when the Stallions erupted for six runs, breaking open a 2-1 game. Jon Gavin Steptoe and Jonathan Germany came on in relief, but ABAC capitalized on timely hitting, including a three-run homer from Joe Cooney that widened the gap.
Thomas rallied with three runs in the seventh, highlighted by a two-run single from catcher Brayden Lawhon and Elias Garcia scoring on a passed ball. Max Pickert added a solo home run in the ninth as a pinch hitter to cut into the lead, but the deficit proved too large.
Starting pitcher Reilly Kuhar took the loss after surrendering five earned over five innings. Germany impressed in his two-inning stint, allowing no hits while inducing four groundouts.
Thomas returns to the diamond tomorrow at 1:00PM for the final two games of the season.
