ROME, Ga. --- Kody Krause went 3-for-4 and four RBI including his game-ending two-run triple in the seventh as Shorter University defeated visiting Tusculum University 13-3 via run-rule on Friday afternoon.
The Hawks (26-15) captured the non-conference series opener over the Pioneers (23-21) and the two teams will wrap-up the weekend set with a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.
Shorter jumped out to an 8-0 and used a seven-run, first inning which saw the Hawks pound out six hits including a two-run double by Krause and a two-run single off the bat of Jacob Pajer, who finished the game with three hits.
Tusculum worked its way back into the game as Murphy Flood hit a two-run homer in the third inning and Darien Farley tacked on a run with his RBI double in the sixth as TU trailed 8-3.
But the Hawks scored three times in the sixth and Krause sealed the victory with his triple in the seventh to conclude the contest.
Shorter finished the game with a dozen hits, seven walks and got three sacrifice flies. SU batters did not record a strikeout on the afternoon.
Tusculum was led at the plate by Flood's 4-for-4 performance which included a pair of doubles and his fourth homer of the year. Farley accounted for a pair of hits while Zane Keener extended his hitting streak to nine consecutive games. Keener also moves his on-base streak to 21 straight games which is tied for the 10th most in program history.
Shorter starting pitcher Cole McDaniel (3-3) picked up the victory as he scattered six hits, two runs, three walks and posted five strikeouts. TU starter Brady Salyards (4-2) suffered the loss as he went five innings, while Billy Quinn pitched 1 1/3 innings before the game concluded.
