DAVIE, Fla. – #20 ranked St. Thomas (23-9) drop one-run game to DII #10 ranked Nova Southeastern (24-4) in a six o'clock night game at NSU Sports Complex.
Michael Centeno went a team-high three for four with an RBI and homerun. STU starting pitcher
Kharlin Sued went four and a third inning, giving up two runs and seven strikeouts in his outing.
The game began with the Sharks tacking on the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Two hits and one Bobcat error led to NSU's first run and the first lead of the game. Centeno was able to post the first Bobcat hit and run, as he sent a homerun over left field in the top of the third to tie the game back up at one. In the bottom of the third, with one out and bases loaded, starter Sued pitched out of the jam by striking out the next two batters and keeping the game tied heading to the fourth. Using that momentum,
Oscar Rodriguez sent a two RBI double to right center in the next half inning, to produce the first STU lead of the night, 3-1. NSU would come back in the bottom of the fifth and cut the Bobcat lead to one. Fortunately, reliever,
Brandon Valentin was able to come out of the bullpen strong and strike out the next two batters to end the Shark run in the inning. But, in the next NSU at-bats, the Sharks would strike two RBI hits with two outs and score three runs to take the lead heading to the top of the seventh.
The Bobcats and Sharks would threaten in both of their ensuing at-bats, with the biggest threat coming from the Sharks with another bases loaded situation in the bottom of the eighth. With one out,
Alex Viera would come in relief for the Bobcats and post another strong relief appearance for STU, as he would retire the next two batters and hold the Shark lead to one heading to the ninth. In the ninth, the Sharks would shut down the last three Bobcat batters and secure the 4-3 win over STU.
Overall, along with Centeno's strong at-bats, five other Bobcats posted hits on the day to put the STU total at eight hits on the day. Along with the Sued start and the Valentin and Viera's appearances,
Alex Sarmiento pitched for the Bobcats as well today. Valentin was giving the loss for the day on the mound.
STU next hosts a three-game weekend series at Paul Demie Mainieri Field against DII Palm Beach Atlantic University. First pitch Friday scheduled for 6 p.m.
