MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – 22nd ranked St. Thomas (35-13, 16-8 TSC) fell to third ranked Northwood (39-8, 22-3 TSC) 5-3 on Friday night at Paul Demie Mainieri Field.
 
The Seahawks came out swinging in the first, tallying two runs off three hits with a Keivan Berges RBI double, scoring Daniel Arroyo.  On the very next play, Berges would score himself off a Luis Roman RBI single. 

The Bobcats had some early-game magic as well.  An RBI single by Paul Chacin scored Bryan Bermudez in the bottom first, cutting the Northwood lead to 2-1.  The Seahawks would counter in the top second when Andrew Danner was walked with the bases loaded.  The Bobcats would again close to within one of the Seahawks in the top fifth, when a Bermudez RBI double scored Michael Centeno.  Berges would again answer the bell for Northwood when he hit a two-run homer to deep center for the 5-2 lead. 

Any hopes for a Bobcat victory would have to be settled in the bottom of the ninth.  Adam Duarte led off the frame with his second home run of the season, a bomb to right field.  But the Seahawks would surrender no further runs, securing the 5-3 victory.  

Cody Gray earned the win for Northwood, going eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out 11 and walking four.  Marcos Barrios took the loss, allowing five runs on eight innings with six strikeouts and two walks.  Tyeler Checkley was effective in 2.1 shutout innings of relief, striking out three.

The game was delayed 1:45 due to a lightning warning.

The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.  Senior Day ceremonies will take place prior to the first game of the doubleheader.