PULASKI, Tenn. – Tennessee Southern split the opening day of its Southern States Athletic Conference series with Thomas University on Friday at Bobby Walker Field, using a dominant middle-inning surge to take game one before falling in game two.
In game one, the Firehawks used one big inning to seize control in a 9–3 victory.
After a scoreless start, Evan Nelson broke through in the third inning, launching a solo home run to give Tennessee Southern a 1–0 lead.
Tennessee Southern's defense played a pivotal role early behind Jay Davis. In the first inning, Carson Foote delivered a pinpoint throw from the outfield to cut down a runner at the plate, keeping Thomas off the scoreboard. Two innings later, Devin Thrain mirrored the effort with a strong throw of his own to preserve another zero and maintain the Firehawks' momentum.
The Firehawks erupted in the fourth. Gage Beckner was hit by a pitch and advanced into scoring position before Reagan Tomlin and Devin Thrain worked walks to load the bases. Baron Cribbs drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run, and Masato Mizumori followed with another walk to force in a second run. Nelson added an RBI walk, and Anthony Pastrana was hit by a pitch to plate another.
With the bases still loaded, Zac Wilson delivered the decisive blow, launching a grand slam to left field to cap an eight-run inning and push the Firehawks in front 9–0.
Thomas responded with three runs in the fifth, but Tennessee Southern's pitching staff held firm the rest of the way.
Davis tossed a complete game, allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits while striking out eight to earn the win.
Nelson finished with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored, while Wilson drove in four with his grand slam. Pastrana added an RBI, and Mizumori and Cribbs each drove in a run. Beckner was active on the basepaths with two stolen bases, and Thrain and Tomlin each reached base multiple times and scored.
In game two, the Firehawks jumped out early but were unable to recover from a big inning in a 22–5 loss.
Tennessee Southern struck first in the opening frame. Nelson singled and Pastrana followed with a base hit before Wilson worked a walk to load the bases. Cooper Phillips lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in the first run, and Tomlin added a sacrifice fly to make it 2–0.
Thomas answered in the second and then broke the game open in the third with an extended rally.
The Firehawks showed fight in the fourth. Zach Chaney reached on an error and later scored, while Nelson delivered an RBI single. Cribbs applied pressure on the bases, eventually scoring on a throwing error to cut into the deficit.
Tennessee Southern added another run in the sixth as Cribbs singled, stole second and third, and came home on a wild pitch.
Nelson led the Firehawks with two hits and an RBI, while Pastrana added two hits, including a double. Wilson recorded a hit and reached base multiple times, and Phillips drove in a run.
Cribbs finished with a hit, scored twice, and stole three bases, while Mizumori added a hit. Beckner reached base and swiped a bag, and Chaney scored a run.
Tennessee Southern concludes the series Saturday, April 11, hosting Thomas University at the "Bob."
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