THOMAS, Ga. – GAME 1 – Blue Mountain Christian and Thomas University kicked off their three-game SSAC series here Saturday with a doubleheader, with the Knighthawks winning Game 1 by a score of 11-4.
The Toppers went to Austin Garrison on the bump for the opener, while Thomas went to A.J. Wydra.
Thomas would get four runs in the first inning, capped by a two-run single by Easton Willis.
The Toppers fired back in the top of the second, as Josiah Rivera and Hayden Redding both had RBI singles to pull Blue Mountain to within a run at 4-3.
BMCU's Hayden Arant would tie it in the third, as he belted a solo shot to center off Wydra, his fourth of the season.
The Toppers wouldn't be able to put anything else together offensively, as the Knighthawks continued to plate runners with a big fifth inning as they would get a solo homer from Mike Sowers and an RBI double by Brayden Lawhon.
Three more crossed for the Knighthawks in the sixth against Topper reliever Jackson Siler.
Garrison (1-3) suffered the loss for BMCU, tossing four innings, giving up seven runs on six.  Siler tossed two innings, giving up four runs on eight hits with a K.
Redding had two hits and two stolen bases in the loss for BMCU, while Arant had scored two runs.
 
GAME 2
Thomas would secure the series in the nightcap, winning a tight game 3-2.
Thomas would take a 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI single by Cameron Tyson, as BMCU's Cole Giordano was on the bump.
The bottom of the third saw Thomas' Riley Borgert hit a solo homer, and an RBI single in the fourth by Kason Buie gave the Knighthawks a 3-0 lead.
Blue Mountain would answer in the fifth, as Hayden Redding hit a solo homer to left and Arderrius Townsend doubled in a run to make it 3-2.
That would be all the scoring in Game 2, as pitching for both teams held steady.
Giordano (2-2) suffered the loss despite a strong outing, tossing 5.1 innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits.
Hunter Pierson was also strong in relief for BMCU, throwing 2.2 innings, not allowing a run against four hits.
Redding led the way for BMCU with three hits and two stolen bases in the loss, while Gavin Coles, Will Crawford and Josiah Rivera all had two hits each.
Of note, the Knighthawk pitching staff handcuffed Topper slugger Peeko Townsend, limiting him to a 1-for-8 day with seven strikeouts.
BMCU (21-11, 7-10 SSAC) will try and salvage the series tomorrow, as the two teams play Game 3 noon CT.
 
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