BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. — After inclement weather delayed the game, the Thomas Night Hawks split against the Blue Mountain Christian Toppers on Saturday night.
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Thomas rallied to tie the game midway through but couldn't hold off a late push from Blue Mountain Christian, falling in the opening game of Sunday's Southern States Athletic Conference doubleheader.
The Night Hawks collected 11 hits, including doubles from Ansley Eason and Kristin Steller, and erased an early 3-0 deficit with a run in the third and two more in the fourth. Eason went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Steller also doubled and scored a run.
Grace Hodges and Alexis Adams each added two hits for Thomas, with Hodges swiping a base and driving in a run to highlight the middle of the Night Hawks' order.
Senior Sierra Ussery started in the circle and allowed five runs over five innings, including a critical two-run sixth that proved to be the difference. Ussery struck out two and gave up seven hits before giving way to Darian Pippin, who struck out three in a scoreless inning of relief.
Despite several scoring opportunities, Thomas stranded nine runners on base. The Night Hawks had the tying run at the plate in the seventh, but Blue Mountain's defense closed the door.
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Thomas bounced back in game two by striking early and often, riding a 13-hit outburst and a sharp pitching performance to a 7-5 victory over Blue Mountain to split the series
The Night Hawks opened the scoring with four runs over the first two innings. Annalise Buncy delivered the early blow with a two-run triple in the second, capping off a sequence that saw Thomas load the bases with back-to-back hits from Grace Hodges and Alexis Adams.
Thomas added to its lead in the third inning with an RBI single from Steller. After Blue Mountain clawed back with three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to cut the deficit to 7-5, reliever Darian Pippin entered with one out in the sixth and slammed the door. retiring five straight batters to earn her seventh save of the season.
Baileigh Herrera picked up her ninth win, tossing 5.1 innings while allowing five runs—only two earned—on five hits. She struck out one and did not issue a walk. Pippin struck out one in 1.2 hitless innings of relief.
Hodges went 3-for-4 with three runs scored at the top of the lineup, while Buncy tallied two hits and three RBIs to pace the Night Hawks' offense.
Thomas committed three errors, but solid defense in the final innings preserved the win.
The Night Hawks continue SSAC play on Wednesday as they face off against Point at 2:00PM at home.
