THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Western Carolina Crusaders fell 9-2 to Thomas University in the opening game of a three-game series Friday.
WCU took an early lead in the second inning when Tyler Ducksworth hit a solo home run to left field. The Crusaders led 1-0 before Thomas responded with a three-run rally in the bottom half of the inning. Three consecutive singles by Brayden Lawhon, Noah Smith, and Gabe Tafelski loaded the bases, and Elias Garcia was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Seth Waltimyer followed with a two-run single to put the Nighthawks ahead 3-1.
Thomas extended its lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Waltimyer. WCU narrowed the deficit in the sixth when Taylor Walters singled and scored on Jayden Mark’s RBI hit down the left-field line, making it 4-2. The Nighthawks responded quickly, scoring five runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth to push their lead to 9-2.
Thomas held WCU’s offense in check after that, allowing only one hit over the final three innings. The Crusaders will finish the series with a doubleheader scheduled for noon Saturday.
