WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – On Sunday, the No. 6 seed Thomas University baseball team defeated third-seeded Webber International University, 7-1, to win the program's first Sun Conference Tournament Championship.
Thomas went unbeaten at 4-0 throughout the Sun Conference Tournament with wins over No. 1 Southeastern, Keiser, Warner and Webber International at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
The Sun Conference Tournament Champion Night Hawks clinch an automatic berth into the 2019 NAIA National Championship's Opening Round, scheduled to take place from May 13 through May 16.
The Thomas Night Hawks accounted for the game's opening run in the bottom of the second inning, as Maury Gonzalez scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch. Webber International starting pitcher Rey Rodriguez however got out of the jam, and the score remained 1-0 Thomas through the first three innings.
Webber International was able to tie it up at 1-1 in the top of the fourth, as Norberto Navarro doubled, advanced to third on a groundout, and eventually worked his way around to score with some aggressive base running after a dropped third strike putout at first and an error from the catcher on the ensuing close play at home.
The first two Night Hawks reached base in the bottom of the fifth on a walk and a Luis Martinez single, then Jake Bryan had an opposite field RBI single with a nice piece of hitting to put Thomas in front 2-1. Levi O'Steen's groundout to first base was then good enough for the RBI after another close play at the plate, and in the next at-bat Landon Boyette made it 4-1 with a sacrifice fly to score the tagging up Bryan.
The Thomas starting pitcher Chance Carter was in control and had a quality outing, conceding just one run, three hits, and two walks while striking out seven through his seven innings of work. Carter also would receive even more run support in the bottom of the seventh. Boyette battled with a great at-bat before connecting with an RBI single, and a bloop single down the left field line from Jake Webb scored two to make it 7-1 Night Hawks.
After the first two Webber International batters reached in the top of the eighth, Carter gave way to Jorge Meran out of the bullpen who immediately induced a 4-6-3 double play and recorded a strikeout as well to keep the Warriors from drawing any closer. Meran also retired the side in order in the top of the ninth, ending the game with a strikeout to secure the 7-1 victory over the defending champion and No. 3 seeded Webber International.
