MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Thomas University (20-16, 12-6 SSAC) emerged victorious in two thrilling matchups against Faulkner University (Ala.) (21-16, 9-9 SSAC) at Harrison Field, securing a nail-biting 4-3 win in game one, followed by a solid 7-3 victory in game two to earn the sweep in the SSAC Series of the Week.
Thomas 4, (RV) Faulkner 3 - 10 Innings
In the first game, the Night Hawks edged out Faulkner in a tense extra-innings battle. The game stayed scoreless through four innings as both teams struggled to ignite their offenses. Thomas finally broke through in the fifth inning when
Gabe Tafelski was hit by a pitch, moved to third on a wild pitch, and
Nathaniel Slaughter walked. With
Teiresias Jones Jr. pinch-running and stealing second,
Elias Garcia came through with a key single to right center, bringing in Tafelski and Jones for a 2-0 lead.
Faulkner answered back in the seventh with two outs. Dariel Colón walked on a full count, and Edrien Martínez doubled down the line. Jordan Carter's double drove in both, tying it up at 2-2 after seven innings. In the nerve-wracking tenth, Garcia walked and advanced on
Seth Waltimyer's single. A wild pitch pushed both runners forward.
Carson Thomas reached first on a throwing error by the first baseman, allowing Garcia and Waltimyer to score, giving the Night Hawks a 4-2 lead. Faulkner fought back with a run in the bottom of the tenth after Carter singled and eventually scored on a walk, but with the bases loaded and two outs Garcia robbed a double with a diving catch into right center to retire the side. The final score stood at 4-3 in favor of Thomas.
Ian Vickers was solid on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing just two earned runs on five hits, striking out nine while walking three. He threw 117 pitches, 71 for strikes, with a WHIP of 1.14.
Ashton O'Quinn pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief, facing six batters and striking out two without allowing a hit or walk to earn the win as the pitcher of record.
Sawyer Smith wrapped up with one inning, giving up an earned run on one hit with two walks and a hit batter, securing his fifth save of the season.
Elias Garcia was pivotal with two RBIs and a run scored.
Carson Thomas chipped in with two hits to aid the offensive effort.
Thomas 7, Faulkner 3 - Six Innings
In the second game, the Night Hawks made their mark early, with
Elias Garcia drawing a walk in the first inning.
Seth Waltimyer pushed him forward with a fielder's choice and grabbed a quick stolen base.
Carson Thomas then sliced a single through the right side, bringing Waltimyer home. Moments later,
Noah Smith advanced to third and scored on
Brayden Lawhon's groundout, wrapping up the inning with a 2-0 lead for Thomas.
In the second inning,
Drew Clayton shook things up by getting hit by a pitch and swiping second base. Waltimyer's single up the middle sent Clayton home, extending the lead to 3-0. Faulkner's Jeyson Polanco answered back with a solo home run in the third inning, trimming the lead to 3-1. The fourth inning was the Night Hawks' time to shine. Clayton doubled, and
Aidan Reyes took a hit by a pitch. Waltimyer's groundout brought Clayton home, and Smith's single added another run with Reyes scoring.
Carson Thomas tripled down the right field line, sending Smith home, and then capitalized on a wild pitch to score himself, stretching the lead to 7-1. Faulkner managed to add two more runs in their half, thanks to Marlon Oviedo and Dariel Colón scoring on a fielding error, closing the gap to 7-3. With no further scoring in the fifth thanks to great play in left by
Max Pickert to rob a base hit and retire the side, the Night Hawks held on for a solid 7-3 victory over the Eagles.
The game was called after five complete due a lightning strike in the area that pushed the game into a weather delay. The delay lasted about two hours before the game was called.
On the mound,
Zach Buelk opened for Thomas, pitching 1 inning with a hit, a walk, and a strikeout and no earned runs.
Dustin Letchworth delivered 2 innings, allowing two hits, issuing three walks, striking out two, and an earned run to earn the win in the effort.
Reece Holloway pitched a clean inning, striking out one and walking one without allowing a hit.
Tyler Marczak closed it out, pitching 1 inning with two hits and one walk but keeping the Eagles scoreless through his outing.
Carson Thomas was pivotal in the second game with two hits, including a triple, two RBIs, and a run. Waltimyer chipped in with a hit, two RBIs, and a stolen base. Smith crossed home twice, got a hit with an RBI, and walked once. Clayton also made his mark with two runs, a double, and a hit by pitch.
On the day the Thomas defense held Faulkner to 0-5 when the bases were loaded and a .136 batting average (3-22) with runners in scoring position.
This marks the first time that Faulkner has been swept in conference series (not including forfeits) at Harrison field since 2009 when they were swept by Southern Polytechnic State University on this day 17 years ago. It also marks the first time that Thomas got a clean sweep of Faulkner.
"I'm so proud of our guys. They deserved this weekend for sure. Complete team effort for three straight games." said head coach
Tom Fleenor
The Night Hawks stand at 20-16 overall and 12-6 in the SSAC. Thomas currently sits at second place in a tie with William Carey in the SSAC standings and one and a half games back from first place.
Next up, the Night Hawks will make the return trip to Edward Waters for a midweek on Tuesday April 7th at 5pm where they look to continue their seven game winning streak.
