Lynch Complete Game Saves Sweep at Thomas

THOMASVILLE, Ga. – A six-run first inning and a complete-game effort from right-hander Logan Lynch powered Reinhardt Baseball to an 8-1 win in the opener before Thomas answered with a 12-2 victory in the nightcap, as the teams split a doubleheader Saturday at Varnedoe Stadium.  

Reinhardt seized control of Game 1 immediately, sending 10 batters to the plate in the top of the first and capitalizing on Thomas miscues to build a 6-0 lead. The Eagles added single runs in the second and third innings, providing more than enough support for Lynch, who limited the Night Hawks to two hits and one run over 7.0 innings in a complete-game performance.

The big first inning was punctuated by a two-run home run from Ryan Stephens, who drove a pitch over the left-field wall for an unearned shot that capped the six-run frame. Earlier in the inning, Reinhardt used traffic on the bases and aggressive running to pressure the Thomas defense, which finished with four errors in the opener. Juan Pablo Morales was one of several Eagles to contribute, collecting two hits, an RBI and a stolen base as Reinhardt finished with eight hits and five steals.

Reinhardt's power continued in the second when Louis Dion lifted a solo home run to right field to push the advantage to 7-0. In the third, Miguel Salazar beat out an infield single to shortstop to plate another run and make it 8-0. That cushion held the rest of the way as Lynch worked efficiently, striking out six, walking few and throwing 85 pitches while facing just minimal traffic. Thomas broke up the shutout in the seventh on an RBI groundout by T. Marczak that scored J. Roque, but Lynch induced routine contact to close out the 8-1 final.

Overall in Game 1, Reinhardt produced eight runs on eight hits with only one error and left six runners on base. The Eagles drew three walks, were hit by two pitches and saw two home runs—by Stephens and Dion—account for three of their seven RBIs. Thomas managed just two hits and one run, stranding four, though both of the Night Hawks' hits left the yard.

The roles reversed in Game 2 as Thomas' pitching and pressure offense took control. The Night Hawks broke a scoreless start with a four-run third inning off starter Ty Pangborn, highlighted by an RBI single from Elias Garcia. Pangborn worked 5.0 innings, allowing four hits and four runs while striking out five, but Thomas steadily built its lead and took advantage of seven Reinhardt errors in the contest.

Reinhardt briefly climbed back into the game with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Dion delivered again with a solo home run to left in the fourth to put the Eagles on the board, cutting the deficit to 4-1. In the fifth, Stephens reached on an error that allowed Aiden Robles to score an unearned run, trimming the margin to 4-2 and giving Reinhardt some momentum against Thomas starter Isaac Padilla.

Padilla, however, settled in and kept Reinhardt from mounting a larger rally, working 5.0 innings and scattering four hits. He allowed two runs, only one earned, and needed just 55 pitches while striking out one and walking few. Thomas extended the lead with two runs in the sixth inning, including one on a wild pitch, and then broke the game open with a six-run outburst in the eighth. Max Pickert was central to the late surge, producing a two-RBI double as part of an inning that pushed the advantage to 12-2 and effectively sealed the nightcap.

The Eagles were limited to four hits and two runs in Game 2, drawing five walks but unable to fully cash in while leaving six men on base. Dion's home run and RBI, along with continued production from Stephens and Robles, provided the offense. Thomas finished with 12 runs on six hits thanks to timely extra-base knocks and patience at the plate, drawing eight walks and swiping four bases to put constant pressure on the Reinhardt defense.

Reinhardt will be on the road on Tuesday with a single game against Brewton-Parker.  After this, the Eagles will begin their 2026 AAC campaign when the Royals of Johnson University come to Waleska for the Eagles' home opener on Friday and Saturday.