HATTIESBURG, Miss. — The Night Hawks faced a challenging day against the No. 21 William Carey Crusaders, falling 1-0 in the afternoon matchup and 5-0 in the evening game at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.
Game 1: Thomas 0, William Carey 1
In the first game, the Night Hawks managed four hits but were unable to capitalize. The Crusaders took an early lead in the first inning when Liz Cross made a daring steal of home after a sequence involving a walk and stolen base, wrapping up the inning with a 1-0 lead.
The Night Hawks had a prime chance to level the score in the fourth inning when
Alexis Adams singled up the middle and
Ashlyn Powell reached on a fielder's choice, advancing Adams to third on an error. However, a double play extinguished the opportunity.
Baileigh Herrera was stellar on the mound for the Night Hawks, pitching a complete game over 6 innings with just 2 hits allowed. She issued 1 walk and struck out a batter while maintaining a WHIP of 0.50. Herrera faced 22 batters, inducing 12 fly outs and 5 ground outs, giving up only one earned run to a top offense in the country.
Alexis Adams contributed with a single.
Ashlyn Powell recorded a hit, maintaining a .667 OPS.
Grace Hodges also impressed with a hit, finishing with a .667 OPS.
Game 2: Thomas 0, William Carey 5
In the second game of the day, the Night Hawks bats went cold but were able to manage a hit against the reigning NAIA Pitcher of the week.
Grace Hodges managed a single in the sixth for the Night Hawks, but they could not capitalize on this opportunity.
Taylor Young was sharp in relief, pitching a clean scoreless inning in the sixth.
Ashlyn Powell reached base twice, drawing a walk and taking a hit by pitch.
Cameron Clontz pitched 4 innings with a start in the circle, while
Maggie Stubbs threw an inning of work in the fifth.
The Night Hawks are set to face the University of Mobile (Ala.) on Saturday, March 21 at noon CT at UM Softball Field in Mobile, Ala.
