Ashlyn Powell

FRESH SEASON: The Thomas Night Hawks are ready to open the season on the diamond after being picked to finish seventh in the SSAC.

Night Hawks looking to be competitive in loaded SSAC

1/30/2026 10:22:00 AM

By: Grayson Plunkett

THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Following a season filled with highs and lows, the Thomas University Night Hawks are ready to return to the diamond for the 2026 season.

The Night Hawks are coming off a 23-30 season, where Head Coach Tom Fleenor earned his 100th win as Night Hawks Head Coach and his 500th win in his coaching career.

Additionally, in the SSAC tournament, they were a game away from earning an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament after beating the eventual tournament champion, Loyola.

Thomas returns a veteran outfield with seniors Max Pickert, Gabe Tafelski, and Elias Garcia patrolling the green. The three seniors will also play major roles in the lineup as they accounted for 122 hits and 61 RBI last season.

Also returning to the outfield is sophomore Aidan Reyes, who is coming off an excellent freshman season in which he batted .272, with 22 hits, 16 RBI, seven doubles, and two triples, earning SSAC All-Freshman team honors.

The infield sees some experience back as well, with juniors Seth Waltimyer and Tyler Marczak keeping tabs at short and first, respectively. Junior Carson Thomas, freshman Braeden Callahan, and sophomore Lucas Dufresne will share time at second, while junior Jackson Thomas and sophomore Drew Clayton will split time at the hot corner in third. Catching duties will stay with senior Brayden Lawhon

In the offseason, the bullpen took a few blows with having to replace closer Brandon Steele and starters AJ Wydra and Jon Gavin Steptoe. But Thomas still retains a good core of arms.

Seniors Sawyer Smith and Dustin Letchworth bring in experience on the mound as starters, with relievers in Zach Buelk, Ryan Chapman, Ashton O'Quinn, and Jaxon Smith to round out the core. In addition, newcomers Ian Vickers, Cairo native Christian Maige, and Isaac Padilla help to pad out the rotation for the Night Hawks.

"This team has a chance to be special," Coach Fleenor said. "If we stay healthy and play to our ability level, I like our chances to have a great year."

The early half of the season looks to be tough for Thomas as they face four ranked or receiving votes teams out of the blocks. Opening their season on the road against the eighth-ranked Webber International Warriors on Jan.30, and then a week later, they open their home slate with the 14th-ranked Reinhardt University Eagles on Feb. 6-7.

Next, they'll travel to Tifton to take on the (RV) ABAC Stallions in a non-conference matchup before beginning conference play against seventh-ranked Loyola on February 27th.

Later in March, the Night Hawks and the Stallions will face off in SSAC action on Mar. 20-21. Then in April, they will face the No. 11 William Carey Crusaders at home before ending the regular season on the road against Brewton-Parker Christian.

The Night Hawks were picked to finish seventh in the preseason SSAC Coaches' Poll.

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