MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Thomas (18-16, 10-6 SSAC) clinched a shutout 2-0 victory over Faulkner University (Ala.) (21-14, 9-7 SSAC) on Friday night at Harrison Field. The game was defined by stellar pitching that held Faulkner to just four base runners in the effort.
The action remained scoreless until the fifth when
Gabe Tafelski singled, advanced on a groundout, and crossed home on
Seth Waltimyer's single up the middle, putting the Night Hawks ahead 1-0.
In the sixth inning,
Carson Thomas widened the lead with a solo homer to right continuing his homerun hitting streak to three games to bring the score up to 2-0. From there, the Night Hawks' pitching and defense shut down the Eagles for the rest of the game.
Isaac Padilla was a force on the mound, pitching eight scoreless innings, allowing only three hits, a walk and striking out eight against a Faulkner lineup that featured six players hitting over .300. He didn't allow a runner past second base through the game.
Ashton O'Quinn shut the door in the ninth, retiring the side in order to complete the shutout and earn his third save of the season. This win marked Padilla's seventh of the season.
Carson Thomas added two hits including a solo homer. Garcia contributed with two hits and a walk and a stolen base. Waltimyer chipped in with two hits, and an RBI.
Noah Smith added in a pair of hits, while Tafelski had two hits, a run scored and a walk in the effort.
"That was the best performance I have seen in a TU uniform.
Isaac Padilla was the best pitcher in the country tonight." said head coach
Tom Fleenor
The win marks the first SSAC win at Harrison Field and the second ever win at Harrison field since their first away win against the Eagles in 2020. This is the first time the Eagles have been shutout this season. Thomas sits in sole possession of fourth place in the SSAC standings with the win
The Night Hawks, now at 18-16 and 10-6 in the SSAC, will return to Harrison Field on Saturday, April 4, to face the Eagles again in a doubleheader at 12 p.m. CT.
