LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The Thomas Night Hawks' offense was stifled Tuesday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex, as they fell to the Evangel Valor in the NAIA Softball Opening Round.
Thomas managed just five hits and left eight runners stranded in the elimination game. A four-run first inning by Evangel set the tone early, and the Crusaders never looked back, adding insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Despite a leadoff double by Ansley Eason and a pair of two-hit performances from Eason and Sierra Ussery, the Night Hawks couldn't capitalize with runners in scoring position. Evangel's pitcher M Bentley went the distance, striking out four and walking just two over seven innings.
The Night Hawks had their best scoring opportunity in the top of the fifth, loading the bases with two outs, but a pop-out ended the threat. Defensively, Thomas committed one error, while Evangel played a clean game in the field.
Baileigh Herrera took the loss in the circle for Thomas after allowing four earned runs in the first inning. Sierra Ussery, Cameron Clontz and Emylee Mountin also appeared in relief, combining for four strikeouts across 4.0 innings.
The loss concludes Thomas' season in the NAIA postseason, capping a campaign that saw the Night Hawks finish the regular season second in the conference after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason. Thomas also reached the 30-win mark for the first time under head coach Jessica Sanders.
