GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Night Hawks of Thomas University had a mixed day at the Gulf Coast Invitational, starting with a commanding 9-0 run rule victory over Texas A&M University-San Antonio before falling to Texas A&M University Texarkana in game two.
Game 1: Thomas 9, Texas A&M-San Antonio 0 (5 Innings) In their first game against Texas A&M-San Antonio, Thomas jumped ahead in the first inning. Paisley Wallace drew a walk and promptly stole second base. Alexis Adams stepped up with an RBI single, bringing Wallace home, followed by Ashlyn Powell's RBI single that scored Adams. The Night Hawks were up 2-0 by the end of the first.
The fifth inning was where Thomas truly took flight. Adams singled, and Ava Nunez was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Powell to reach first on an error, loading the bases. Baileigh Herrera then smashed a double to center, driving in two runs. Rileigh Spinosa reached on an error, adding two more runs. The Night Hawks capitalized on defensive miscues and a sacrifice fly by Adams to rack up seven runs in the inning. By its close, Thomas led 9-0 and maintained their shutout with a final score of 9-0.
Baileigh Herrera was nothing short of stellar on the mound for Thomas, pitching a complete game shutout over five innings. She surrendered just two hits while facing 17 batters, maintaining a WHIP of 0.60, and issued only one walk. Herrera's dominance was clear, inducing 8 groundouts and 5 flyouts, with no earned runs and one strikeout.
Alexis Adams shined with three hits and two RBIs, scoring twice herself. Herrera not only excelled in the circle but also contributed a double and two RBIs at the plate. Ashlyn Powell chipped in with a run-scoring hit, while pinch hitter Rileigh Spinosa drove in two runs with her sole plate appearance.
Game 2: Thomas 1, #23 TAMUT 10 The Night Hawks faced a tougher challenge in their second game against #23 Texas A&M Texarkana. Thomas managed to notch four hits, scoring their lone run right in the first inning, while the Eagles racked up 14 hits to claim the win.
The Night Hawks kicked things off with a promising start, as Grace Hodges singled, swiped second base, and moved to third on a passed ball before Kinley Libby brought her home on a sacrifice fly, putting Thomas ahead 1-0 after the first.
The third inning saw the Eagles taking advantage of several opportunities. A walk, a single and an error pushed the Eagles ahead 3-1.
In the fifth inning, the Eagles widened their lead. A series of hits and miscues, extended the Eagles' lead to 7-1. The Eagles tacked on another run in the sixth. In the seventh, the Eagles wrapped things up by adding two more runs.
Taylor Young took the mound for the Night Hawks in the second game, pitching 1.2 innings and facing 11 batters. Young allowed four hits and three earned runs, with no strikeouts and one walk. Young threw 44 pitches—27 of which were strikes—resulting in a strike percentage of 61.4%.
Hodges led the Night Hawks offensively, tallying two hits, scoring once, drawing a walk, and stealing a base. Ava Nunez also contributed with two hits in three at-bats, keeping the pressure on the defense. Cameron Clontz pitched three innings, giving up four hits but allowing no earned runs, while recording two strikeouts.
Next up, the Night Hawks will take on Morningside University on Saturday, March 7 at 6 p.m. CT at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex in Gulf Shores, Alabama, looking to bounce back.
