MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – #20 ranked St. Thomas (24-9) came out victorious against Division II opponent Palm Beach Atlantic (16-11) in the first game of a three-game weekend series at Paul Demie Mainieri Field. Eric Santamaria led the offense with two hits, four RBI and a double on the day. Marcos Barrios would be awarded the complete game win, pitching six innings, with five strikeouts and five runs surrendered. 

The Bobcats started of hot, as STU starter, Barrios sent the first three batters of the Sailfish lineup down in order. STU would continue that momentum, as the team would combine for five hits and five runs to start the game. The biggest hits that inning came from Eric Santamaria and Steven Fischer, who both posted two RBI in the inning.  In the bottom of the second, Santamaria would post another RBI to move the Bobcat lead to six. The Sailfish would respond in the next half inning with a two-run homer to right to close in on the STU lead. A Michael Centeno bunt would score two more Bobcats in the bottom of the fifth, as PBA pitcher Ryan Cota, sent his groundball throw into right field. This would spark the STU bats as Cesar Ramirez, Jerry Downs, Paul Chacin, Brandon Canizares, Santamaria and Fischer would all post RBI's in the huge eight-run inning. The Sailfish would answer  back in the next half inning as a three-run homer to right field would cut the Bobcat lead to nine. Heading into the bottom half of the inning, the game would be called due to weather. Because five and a half full innings were played, with the home team in the lead, this ruling would assure the Bobcats victory in the night game.

Overall, Barrios would be awarded his fourth win of the season, moving him to 4-1, while the PBA starter, Josh Turner, would move to 3-4 on the season. Out of the Bobcats 12 hits, Ramirez, Santamaria, Fischer and Canizares would have multi-hit games, while Santamaria and Fischer would also have multi-RBI days, as well. 

Bobcats continue the series with the Sailfish tomorrow with a doubleheader at Paul Demie Mainieri Field. First pitch of game one of the doubleheader scheduled for 12 P.M.