NEW ORLEANS — The Night Hawks (8-10, 1-2) were edged out by Loyola (14-6, 2-1) with a 7-3 final score on Saturday at Segentte Field. Thomas jumped out with two runs in the first inning, but Loyola's three-run second inning turned the tide. Despite a late rally in the seventh, Thomas couldn't close the gap.
Thomas University kicked things off on Saturday with a strong start in the first inning. A mix of Loyola's defensive slip-ups saw
Teiresias Jones Jr. make it all the way to third, followed by a walk for
Jaylen Roque.
Gabe Tafelski seized the moment with a clutch double down the left field line, bringing in two unearned runs. The Night Hawks wrapped up the inning on top, 2-0. However, Loyola quickly answered back, leveling the score at 2-2 with a groundout RBI and a sacrifice fly.
Loyola took the reins in the second inning. After a single and a walk, Nathan McDonald delivered a two-run single, aided by an error, bringing home two more. Jovan Swasey added to the tally with a single, stretching Loyola's lead to 5-2 by inning's end.
The third inning saw Loyola extending their lead even further. With a hit-by-pitch, a pinch-runner, and two singles, Tanner Powell's single to center field drove in another run, making it 6-2.
In the fourth inning, Jordan McKenzie's RBI single down the left field line pushed Loyola's lead to 7-2.
The Night Hawks fought back in the seventh inning.
Aidan Reyes got hit by a pitch and made it to third on
Max Pickert's right-center single.
Jackson Thomas then singled through the left side, bringing Reyes home. The Night Hawks trailed 7-3 at the end of the seventh inning.
Both teams were kept off the board for the last two innings. The game ended with Loyola claiming a 7-3 victory over the Night Hawks.
On the mound for Thomas,
Christian Maige started for the first time in his career, and threw two innings of work.
Ryan Chapman stepped in and pitched 2 innings.
Dustin Letchworth finished strong with 4 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 3, ending with a WHIP of 0.50.
Jackson Thomas shone at the plate with three hits and an RBI. Tafelski added a double and two RBIs, crucial for the Night Hawks' offense. Pickert chipped in with two hits. Reyes scored and stole a base.
Up next, the Night Hawks will host the University of Mobile (Ala.) at 6 p.m. Friday, March 6 at Varnedoe Stadium in Thomasville, Georgia.
