MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Thomas University Night Hawks faced a tough series against RV Faulkner University In the first game, despite holding a 4–1 lead going into the final inning, the Night Hawks couldn't fend off a late rally from the Eagles, who clinched the win with a four-run seventh inning.
Thomas 4, Faulkner 5
The Night Hawks got off to a strong start in the first inning.
Ava Nunez drew a walk and crossed home plate, thanks to timely singles from
Alexis Adams and
Ashlyn Powell. Powell's bases-loaded RBI walk put the Night Hawks up 1–0. Thomas extended their lead in the third inning when Nunez doubled and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by
Cloey O'Doniel. She then scored as Adams was caught stealing. After walks to Powell and
Baileigh Herrera,
Macie Spohn delivered an RBI single, followed by another RBI single from
Rileigh Spinosa, making it 4–0.
Faulkner chipped away in the fifth inning with a pair singles putting them on the scoreboard, narrowing the gap to 4–1. The seventh inning was pivotal; Faulkner sparked the rally with a triple, while a pair of RBI hits and a double sealed the deal for the Eagles. When the dust settled, the Eagles edged out the Night Hawks, 5–4.
Baileigh Herrera put in a solid effort on the mound, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing five earned runs on eight hits. She struck out one, walked one, and threw a total of 101 pitches with 70 strikes, maintaining a WHIP of 1.45. Nunez was a standout for the Night Hawks, scoring twice and hitting a double, while O'Doniel reached base twice with a hit and a walk. Adams collected two hits and a walk, and Powell chipped in with a hit and an RBI.
Macie Spohn added in an RBI single for her first hit of the season.
Thomas 1, Faulkner 7
In the second game, Thomas took control early in the third inning.
Natalie Hiles drew a walk and moved to second thanks to a well-placed sacrifice bunt by
Grace Hodges.
Ava Nunez then came through with a clutch double to left field, bringing Hiles home and putting the Night Hawks on the board first at 1–0. However, Faulkner answered back in the fifth. Anna Catherine Segrest singled, eventually crossing home plate on a double by Addyson Jarman, who advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Sarah Williams, giving Faulkner a 2–1 lead by the inning's end.
The sixth inning saw Faulkner widen the gap. A string of hits and a fielding error allowed a pair of runs score. A fielder's choice and a single added to the tally. A two-run double capped off the inning, pushing Faulkner ahead to 7–1.
Cameron Clontz took the mound for five innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 7 hits, while walking one and striking out one. She faced 23 batters with 67 pitches, 40 of which were strikes, ending with a WHIP of 1.60.
Taylor Young pitched an inning in relief, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits.
Grace Hodges had a notable performance at the plate, with a double and a hit in her three at-bats. Nunez contributed with a double and an RBI, while
Ashlyn Powell added two hits in three at-bats, boasting an impressive OPS of 1.333.
The Night Hawks look to rebound as they prepare to face Point University on Saturday, March 13 at home. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST.
