MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Bobcats (16-6, TSC 8-3) made a statement in conference play taking their three-game series against Southeastern (18-8, TSC 7-4) 2-1.  On the day, the Bobcats split their doubleheader, winning game one 9-8 before falling in the second by the score of 8-2. 
 
Over the two-game stretch, Paul Chacin recorded 3 hits, 1 run, and 4 RBI.  Jerry Downs turned in another solid performance with 3 hits, culminating in 3 runs of his own.  Eric Santamaria and Oscar Rodriguez each had 3 hits in their appearances at the plate, as well.  The winning pitcher for the Bobcats in game one was Chris Rodriguez.  In game two, Kharlin Sued recorded his first loss of the season.
 
The Bobcats jumped out to a quick lead off a Chacin 3 RBI double, bringing in Downs, Adam Duarte, and David Quintero.  A sacrifice fly by Ramirez then brought home Chacin, giving the Bobcats a 4-0 lead.
 
The Fire would respond in the top of the second with a Willi Martin homer.  Later in the inning, T.J. Glessner was walked with the bases loaded, resulting in another run for the Fire.  Connor Oliveri flied out to center bringing in Stetson McCollin, cutting the Bobcat lead to 4-3. 
 
The Bobcats would add to their lead when a Chacin single scored Downs.  But the two-run lead would not suffice as the Fire would add two runs of their own in the top of the third to tie the score at 5. 
 
A Santamaria single scored Duarte in the bottom of the fourth, putting the Bobcats ahead 6-5.  The Bobcats would maintain that lead for the next four innings.  The Fire would mount a comeback in the top of the ninth, momentarily taking the lead off a three-run inning.   
 
Down 8-6, the Bobcats replied with a single from Ramirez, followed by an Oscar Rodriguez double.   With runners in scoring position, Bryan Bermudez was inserted to pinch hit for Michael Centeno.  Bermudez would pull through for the Bobcats with a critical hit, bringing home Ramirez.
 
With the bases loaded, Steven Fischer stepped up to the plate.  Fischer hit a ground ball to the short stop and appeared to be well on his way to an easy out.  The throw to first, however, was errant and the Bobcats scored two runs from Rodriguez and Bermudez for the come-from-behind victory.
 
Game two would also see the Bobcats get on the board first when a Santamaria single scored Downs in the bottom of the first.  The score would remain 1-0 until the sixth.  With the bases loaded, Aldo Ferrante was walked, advancing Willi Martin for the score.  With three on, the Fire's Hunter Simpson singled to right field, scoring all three runners.
 
The Bobcats cut the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth with a run by Centeno.  However, they would never get any closer as the Fire continued to pad their lead.  The Fire added a run in the eighth, and three in the ninth for the 8-2 victory.

The Bobcats return to action on Monday, March 9th, when they head up to St. Petersburg, Fla. to face Eckerd College.  First pitch is scheduled for 5 P.M.