GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Night Hawks faced a rollercoaster of emotions during the Gulf Coast Invitational, coming up short against Morningside but bouncing back to clinch a thrilling victory over United States Sports University.
Thomas 2, Morningside 3 (8 Innings)
In their first game, Thomas put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell to Morningside (8-9) in a nail-biter, losing 3-2. The Night Hawks jumped ahead in the fourth inning with two runs, only to see Morningside storm back with two in the sixth and the game-winner in the eighth.
Cloey O'Doniel reached first on a passed ball after striking out, and
Mackenzie Reeder came in as a pinch runner.
Alexis Adams then singled, moving Reeder along. A throwing error allowed both Adams and Reeder to cross the plate, putting Thomas up 2-0 after four.
Morningside clawed back in the sixth. Jalyn Noelle's RBI single plated Lainie Keller, and Paige Schuster doubled to bring home Amber Dougherty, knotting the score at 2-2 after six. The Mustangs clinched the win in the eighth with Amber Dougherty's walk-off single, driving in Bralen Biddlecome.
Baileigh Herrera showcased her grit with a complete game, tossing 7.2 innings. She allowed six hits and three earned runs, but walked none, facing 28 batters. The righty struck out two and kept a WHIP of 0.83, with 66 of her 92 pitches finding the zone.
Mackenzie Reeder scored as a pinch runner, adding to the team's push.
Alexis Adams chalked up a hit and a run.
Ava Nunez chipped in with a hit.
Thomas 8, USSU 7 (8 Innings)
In their second game of the day, the Night Hawks clinched a thrilling 8-7 victory over United States Sports University. The Night Hawks made the most of their 12 hits, including four doubles, to edge past United States Sports University, who kept it close with 10 hits.
Right from the start,
Grace Hodges doubled to left field, setting up
Cloey O'Doniel to ground out to shortstop—enough to send Hodges home and put the Night Hawks up 1-0 after the first inning. In the second inning, United States Sports University retaliated with three runs, thanks in part to Desiree Denmark's two-run double. Not to be outdone, the Night Hawks responded with two runs of their own.
Ashlyn Powell scored on
Rileigh Spinosa's single, and Spinosa made it home on a hit-by-pitch, tying the game 3-3 after two.
The third inning saw
Alexis Adams double and score on
Rylie Batcheller's single.
Katelyn Shiver followed up with a single to drive in two more, giving the Night Hawks a 6-4 lead. The fourth and fifth innings went scoreless, but United States Sports University evened things up in the sixth with a two-run error, locking the game at 6-6.
In the seventh, Denmark's single gave United States Sports University the lead again, but the Night Hawks quickly answered. Adams doubled and scored on a
Kinley Libby groundout, tying it up at 7-7. The eighth inning was where the Night Hawks sealed the deal. Spinosa started on second, advanced to third on a steal, and came home on a bases-loaded walk to Hodges, wrapping up an 8-7 win for the Night Hawks.
Maggie Stubbs faced just one batter, delivering 58 pitches with 38 strikes and managing a groundout.
Kinley Libby pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run on one hit with one strikeout and one walk, throwing 25 pitches with 16 strikes.
Baileigh Herrera added 2/3 of an inning with no hits or runs, recording two flyouts on just five pitches.
Hodges logged two hits, including a double, with an RBI and a run scored. Adams led with two doubles and two runs. Spinosa contributed a hit, a run, a stolen base, and an RBI, while Shiver added two hits, including a double, driving in a run and boasting an OPS of 1.750.
Next up, the Night Hawks will take on Bethel University (Tenn.) on Sunday, March 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
