BOCA RATON, Fla. - St. Thomas (0-1) loses its season opener to Lynn (1-0) in tightly contested match-up. Â Both teams had an explosive fifth inning, but Lynn ultimately held on to a one run lead for the victory, winning by the score of 7-6. A strong performance by Brandon Canizares led the Bobcats, as he went three for five on the day with 2 RBI from a solo home run in the fourth and a single in the fifth.
A game that was tight, until the fifth inning when Lynn strike first blood, with a sac fly in the second to go ahead by one. The Bobcats answered with a solo homerun from Canizares in the fourth and a huge three run inning in the top of the fifth, with RBI from Paul Chacin (1), Elim Perritte (2) and Canizares (1). But, the Fighting Knights would answer, as they posted a six run seventh. The Bobcats were able to fight back as Eric Santamaria scored Canizares in the eighth of a sac fly, but still wasn't enough for STU.
The game had strong starting performances from both teams. Lynn's Travis Connelly went four innings, while giving up one run off of two hits and posting three strikeouts for the day. St. Thomas' starter, Marcos Barrios also had a good day on the mound, giving up only one run in his three innings and posting three strikeouts.
The major decider on the mound came from the pitchers who followed the two starters. STU's first reliever, Andres Hernandez gave up one run in his inning pitched, and was followed by Brandon Valentin, who surrendered three runs in his outing and was given the loss on the day. Lynn's bullpen also gave up their fair share of runs, allowing 5 runs after the Connelly start, but it proved to not be enough in the 7-6 loss.
The Bobcats head home this Tuesday, Feburary 3 for their home opener where they will face off against conference foe Florida Memorial in a non conference match-up at 6 p.m.
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