Reinhardt Drops Game One to the Nighthawks on the Road
THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Reinhardt University fell behind early and could not recover in an 11-4 loss to Thomas University on Friday afternoon at Varnedoe Stadium, as a four-run second inning by the Night Hawks proved to be the decisive stretch. The Eagles added one run in the second inning and then added three more in the sixth, but that was all they could get against the tough Nighthawk pitching.
After Thomas pushed across an unearned run in the first, the Eagles answered in the top of the second when Sam Holthaus came around to score on an RBI single through the left side by Brock Sisson, briefly pulling Reinhardt even at 1-1. Thomas immediately responded in the bottom half, loading the bases and breaking the game open when Brayden Lawhon tripled to right-center to drive in three runs. An RBI single up the middle by Max Pickert capped the four-run frame and staked Thomas to a 5-1 advantage.
The Eagles' deficit grew in the fourth as Thomas added two more runs adn this ended the outing for Reinhardt starter Austin Puett. The right-hander worked 3.2 innings and was tagged with the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits with five strikeouts over 87 pitches.
Down 8-1 entering the sixth, Reinhardt mounted its best rally of the day. Juan Pablo Morales singled to center to bring home a run and start a three-run inning for the Eagles. Easton Sears, on as a pinch-runner, swiped home during the surge as Reinhardt cut the margin to 8-4. The Eagles showed discipline at the plate throughout, finishing with six walks and four stolen bases, but could not come up with enough timely hits to sustain the comeback.
Holthaus led the Eagles' offense, going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored to highlight Reinhardt's attack. Sisson helped out as well, going 2 for 2 with two RBIs. Riley Gaskins, Tyler Peterson, and Darius Dunn finished out the game on the mound for the Eagles.
Thomas starter Dustin Letchworth earned the win, working 5.0 innings and allowing three earned runs. Reinhardt's pitching staff covered eight innings in total, giving up 11 earned runs on 13 hits. The Eagles will look to build on the sixth-inning rally and improved offensive pressure as they continue their early-season road slate. The two teams will face each other again on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 pm. Reinhardt will be on the road on Tuesday for a midweek single game at Brewton Parker before coming home on the following weekend with their AAC and home opener with Johnson Royals.
photo courtesy of Hunter Paulsen, Graduate Assistant