PULASKI, Tenn. — Thomas University (22-17, 13-7) faced the University of Tennessee Southern (22-18, 11-9) in a doubleheader on Friday at Bobby Walker Field, resulting in a split outcome. In the first game, Thomas fell to Tennessee Southern with a final score of 9-3, despite outhitting their opponent 10-3. The second game showcased a dominant performance by Thomas, who secured a decisive 22-5 victory with four homeruns and 17 hits.
Thomas 3, UT Southern 9
The contest began quietly, with neither team scoring in the first two innings. Tennessee Southern broke through in the third when Evan Nelson homered to left field, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. The fourth inning proved disastrous for Thomas, as Tennessee Southern exploded for eight runs, highlighted by Zac Wilson's grand slam, extending their lead to 9-0.
Thomas responded in the fifth with a three-run inning.
Seth Waltimyer scored on
Carson Thomas's single up the middle,
Jaylen Roque crossed home plate on
Lucas Dufresne's double to right center, and
Carson Thomas scored an unearned run due to a throwing error by the shortstop.
Ian Vickers started for Thomas, pitching 3 1/3 innings, striking out five.
Reece Holloway pitched 1/3 of an inning.
Michael Surane provided stability with 2 1/3 innings pitched, striking out three. Roque led the Night Hawks with three hits and scored once in the game. Dufresne recorded two hits, including a double, and drove in one run while drawing a walk.
Elias Garcia made an impact with a hit, a walk, and a stolen base.
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Game 2: Thomas 22, UT Southern 5 (Seven Innings)
In the second game, Thomas took an early lead with two runs in the first inning, courtesy of sacrifice flies by Cooper Phillips and Reagan Tomlin, ending the inning 2-0. Thomas responded with a run in the second when
Brayden Lawhon scored on a wild pitch, narrowing the score to 2-1.
The Night Hawks exploded offensively in the third inning, scoring ten runs. Waltimyer led off the inning with a single to left field. Roque and Dufresne reached on consecutive walks to load the bases.
Carson Thomas hit a double down the left field line fo drive in two runs to give the Night Hawks the lead 3-2. Lawhon drew the third base on balls of the inning on a full count to load the bases.
Jackson Thomas singled through the left side allowing Jones Jr and his twin brother
Carson Thomas to touch home plate.
Gabe Tafelski reached on a full count free pass to load the bases for the third time in the inning. Elias Garica knocked a ball down to right center for another 2-RBI single to bring the score 8-2.
Elias Garcia stole second and on the throw down Tafelski socred and
Elias Garcia stole third. Jalen Roque capped the third inning scoring with a two run no-doubter to right center for the second homerun for the freshman to bring the score 11-2.
The offensive surge continued into the fourth inning with another 11 runs. Lawhon opened the frame with a single to right center on the first pitch. Jones Jr. came into pinch run for Lawhom and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Smith hit an infield single to third. Jaclson Thomas went yard down the left field line to put three more runs on the board. Tafelski continued the hitting streak with a single to the left side. Tafelski stole second and
Elias Garcia walked. Tafelski moved to third on a passed ball to put runners on the corners. Waltimyer hit a single to right field for an RBI. Roque hit a single to load the bases. Dufresne hit a bases clearing shot to left center for four RBI and the first home run of his career. Lawhom batted for the second time in the inning and reached first on an overthrow from the shortstop.
Julian Garcia hit the seventh single of the inning to right field.
Jackson Thomas hit another three-run shot in the same frame to bring the score to 22-2 and cap the scoring.
The Firehawks managed two runs in the fourth on a single and a miscure and a single. In the sixth on a wild pitch, the game concluded with a final score of 22-5 in favor of Thomas.
Isaac Padilla pitched three innings for Thomas, allowing four hits and two earned runs, while striking out three.
Ryan Chapman followed with three innings of relief, conceding three runs on two hits, striking out five.
Jeremy Santiago closed the game with a solid inning, giving up just one hit and striking out two.
Jackson Thomas led the team in game two with an impressive eight RBIs and two home runs. For
Jackson Thomas this performance ranks the third most RBIs in a game for the program and the most since 2010. Dufresne contributed significantly with four RBIs and a grand-slam home run for the first of his career, while Roque added two RBIs and scored three runs, including his second home run.
Elias Garcia also scored twice and recorded two RBIs.
The 22 runs the Night Hawks scoredin game two is the fourth most runs scored in a game in program history and the most since 2017.
In their next game, Thomas will face Tennessee Southern at 12 p.m. CT Saturday, April 11 at Bobby Walker Field in Pulaski, Tennessee to decide the series.
