WEST POINT, Ga. — Thomas University came up just short against Point University with a nail-biting 7–6 finish on Friday.
Aidan Reyes shone for the Night Hawks, driving in two runs, but the Skyhawks snatched victory with a three-run rally in the ninth inning.
The game kicked off with the Night Hawks seizing an early lead.
Elias Garcia singled to right, and
Seth Waltimyer reached on an error, paving the way for
Lucas Dufresne's two-RBI single. The Night Hawks led 2–0 after the first inning.
In the fourth, the Night Hawks widened their lead.
Carson Thomas delivered a key two-RBI double, scoring
Gabe Tafelski and
Jackson Thomas, pushing the Night Hawks ahead 4–1 by the end of the fourth.
Adding to their tally in the fifth, Waltimyer singled and later scored on Reyes' groundout, making it 5–1 for the Night Hawks.
The seventh inning saw another run for the Night Hawks. Dufresne singled to right, bringing home Reyes after he reached on an error. This boosted the Night Hawks' lead to 6–3 as the inning closed.
But the ninth inning turned the tide. The Skyhawks rallied with Jonathan Kohlman's three-run homer to left field, overtaking the Night Hawks and clinching a 7–6 win. The final score read Point 7, Thomas 6.
Isaac Padilla set the tone for the Night Hawks, pitching 5 innings with just one earned run and four hits allowed, striking out three without issuing a walk.
Nate Burnsed stepped in for a 1-inning relief, giving up one earned run on one hit and one walk, while striking out two.
Ashton O'Quinn pitched 2 innings, conceding two earned runs on four hits.
Offensively, Dufresne led with three hits and three RBIs, boasting an OPS of 1.500.
Carson Thomas added three hits, including a double, and two RBIs, highlighting his efficiency at the plate with an OPS of 1.750. Waltimyer scored twice and contributed a hit, maintaining a steady on-base presence with a .650 OPS. Padilla showcased a solid start, with a WHIP of .80 over five innings.
Next, Thomas faces Point University again on Saturday, March 14 in a doubleheader with first pitch of game one scheduled to start at 1 p.m. in West Point, Georgia.
