Thomas Baseball (13-7) split a pair of games in day one of the Warner Invitational this afternoon in Lake Wales, FL.

In game one TU dominated from start to finish, busting out to a 2-0 lead in the first and bashing out 17 hits total hits in a 11-2 pounding of Bethel College (2-7). Thomas put the game away with a five run third inning and tacked on three more in the fourth, rounding out the scoring with a run in the fifth. Sophomore starting pitcher Neal Hunter (2-2) went all the way, tossing a two hitter while striking out six. Sophomore centerfielder Corey Conway (2-4, R, 3 RBI) and junior catcher Andrew Crane (3-4, 3 RBI) each drove in three runs.

Lourdes University (4-7) over came an early one run Night Hawk lead by scoring three in the fourth and five in the fifth to take a commanding 8-1 lead after 4 1/2 innings. TU made a come back by scoring two in the fifth and four in the sixth but could not plate the game tying run, falling 8-7. The big hit for the Night Hawks came off the bat of senior second baseman Brett White (3-4, R, 3B, 3 RBI) who tripled with the bases loaded in the sixth to clear the bases and pull Thomas within two. White would score on a base hit by sophomore designated hitter Austin Corbitt (2-4, 2 RBI) to make it a one run game. In the bottom of the seventh the Night Hawks stranded two runners, leaving the tying run at second. Freshman starting pitcher Evan Morgan (0-1) took the loss after allowing eight run (three earned) on nine hits over five innings of work.

The Warner Invitational continues tomorrow. Thomas will face Bellevue University at 9:30am and round out day two with a match up against Sienna Heights University at 1:30pm.