DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – St. Thomas (17-7, TSC 5-4) drops game one of three-game series to Embry-Riddle (15-10, TSC 8-4) in Friday night matchup at Silwa Stadium. STU,
Marcos Barrios was able to go a strong six innings, surrendering one run with two strikeouts, while
Michael Centeno led the Bobcat bats with his two-run homer in the fifth.
A game that had it fair share of lead changes, started with a one-run Bobcat lead that was produced in the top of the second. A Centeno groundball that resulted in a shortstop error, scored
Oscar Rodriguez and gave STU their first lead. The Eagles would respond in the bottom of the fourth by scoring a run of their own off of Barrios, but the Bobcats would respond in the next half inning. Centeno would produce another two runs for the Bobcats from his two-run homerun to left field and put the Bobcats up again.
Unfortunately, the Bobcat bullpen had a rough outing, as each of the three relievers,
Tyeler Checkley,
Chris Rodriguez and
Alex Viera would surrender two runs each in their collected two innings of work. This all came from the Eagles big six run eighth that put them ahead and secured the game one victory. Rodriguez would also be given the loss on the day, his first of the season, while Eagles reliever, Zac Grotz was awarded his fourth win.
Overall, along with Centeno's homerun,
Nico Hernandez,
Jerry Downs,
Bryan Bermudez Brandon Canizares and Rodriguez would all posts hits on the day, with Rodriguez recording two.
The Bobcats will look for redemption Saturday afternoon, as they will finish the three-game series with a doubleheader, with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
