NAIA
Seventh-Inning MGA Comeback Downs Night Hawks, Drops Pair to #22 Knights
THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University baseball team was on their way to a potential upset over nationally-ranked Middle Georgia State, but the Knights pulled off a seventh-inning miracle, scoring seven runs to notch a 7-5 comeback win in Game 1 and defeating the Night Hawks 5-2 in Game 2 of Saturday afternoon's doubleheader at Varnedoe Stadium.
Game 1 Recap
Thomas (0-2) controlled the majority of the contest, slowly building out to a 5-0 lead. TU tallied seven team hits and four RBIs. Redshirt Junior Infielder Brad Toxen recorded seven putouts, while Redshirt Freshman Catcher Ethan Krizen had six.
Redshirt Senior Pitcher Patrick Haley started the contest for the Hunter Green & White; in five innings pitched, Haley allowed only four hits in 26 at-bats, recording two strikeouts. Redshirt Sophomore Pitcher Owen Simonds (0-1) was accredited with the loss, allowing two hits and four errors in seven batters faced in the seventh inning.
1st Inning
Redshirt Junior Infielder Brad Toxen scored an unearned run, taking a 1-0 lead for the Night Hawks after taking two bases from a pitching error by MGA's Camden Bailey
2nd Inning
Redshirt Sophomore Outfielder Christian Sweat extended TU's lead (2-0) after hitting an RBI single out to left field
4th Inning
Redshirt Junior Outfielder Rodwell Munoz hit an RBI single to centerfield, bringing home Redshirt Junior Outfielder Victor Terrero for a 3-0 Thomas lead
6th Inning
Owen Simonds entered the contest for Patrick Haley
TU's outfield had its quickest inning of the game, as MGA went three up, three down
Victor Terrero's bat was hot, sending a moon blast over the left wall for a 2RBI home run to build on the Night Hawks lead (5-0)
7th Inning
MGA began the inning with two leadoff singles from Joel Ellis and Brandon Douglas
A series of walks led to MGA's first run on the day, resulting in a TU pitching change (Redshirt Senior Pitcher Jorge Meran for Simonds)
Knights Leftfielder Michael Gardner's single gave Thomas' outfield trouble, as Middle Georgia scored three runs on the hit, cutting TU's lead to one run (5-4)
After a J.T. Rice RBI tied the contest at five runs apiece, the Night Hawks made a costly, infield error two batters later that resulted in two runs scored for Middle Georgia
Game 2 Recap
TU recorded six hits and had three team errors. Redshirt Senior Infielder Jake Bryan tallied five putouts and four assists. Rodwell Munoz and Redshirt Sophomore Catcher Chandler Skelly also had five putouts apiece. Victor Terrero led all hitters with three in the contest and two RBIs.
Redshirt Senior Pitcher Holden Alexander (0-1) pitched four innings, allowing four hits and four runs, along with two errors in 17 at-bats.
2nd Inning
Down 2-0, Thomas appeared to have a solo home run in the bag from Victor Terrero, but the run was nullified as the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native did not touch home plate
7th Inning
TU recorded its first, double play of 2021 when Brad Toxen tossed a grounder to Freshman Midfielder Turner Maddox, who got the throw to Jake Bryan in time at first base
Terrero redeemed himself from his second-inning gaffe, blasting another 2RBI home run out of the park, also bringing home Maddox for the Hunter Green & White's only runs of the game
TU by the Numbers
1: Double Plays Made
2: Home Runs for Victor Terrero
7: Total Runs on the Day
8: Total Strikeouts for the Pitching Staff
13: Total Team Hits on the Day
The Night Hawks will conclude its series with Middle Georgia State Tuesday with a nine-inning contest. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
For up-to-date information on this games and other TU Athletics, visit www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, and feature stories of your TU baseball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawkBaseba.