WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Bobcats (7-21, TSC 5-11) scored two critical conference victories over the Northwood Seahawks (14-30-1, TSC 0-15) on Sunday afternoon.  In game one, the Bobcats lead most of the way before facing a Northwood rally.  Despite the Seahawks efforts, the Bobcats finally dispatched them 3-2 in extras.  In game two, the Bobcats again controlled the pace, and snuck away with a 2-1 victory.

The Bobcat defense was much more active today than they were in their previous outing.  Their defensive intensity was matched by the Seahawks, who were celebrating Senior Day.

A brief moment of offense would appear for St. Thomas in the top of the fourth.  With Jessica Matias on second, Carson Catasus hit an RBI single to left field to put the Bobcats up 1-0. 

The Bobcats would hold their 1-0 lead until the bottom seventh.  Only needing three outs to secure the victory, they proved unable to protect the lead.  An error by Natalie Sacramento loaded the bases for the Seahawks, and an RBI single by Heimy Espinal scored the tying run.

In extras, it was the hosting Seahawks who derailed their efforts with mistakes.  The catcher mishandled a routine play allowing Christina Horton to reach first, and advancing Linett Perez to second.  The Seahawk implosion would continue when an error by the catcher scored Perez, and a subsequent error by the first baseman scored Horton.

The Seahawks would again attempt to rally in the bottom eighth.  The Bobcats would provide a little help when an error by Carley Distasio allowed Rachel Dirks to score.  Still up 3-2 with two outs, Cristina Sacramento ended any hopes of another Northwood rally when she popped up Jaime Schiller for the game's final out.

Game one saw a number of Bobcat hitters get on the board.  Matias, Cristina Sacramento, Catasus, Natalie Sacramento, Michelle Murch, and Perez each had a hit on the day.  Catasus had the lone Bobcat RBI on the day, and the younger Sacramento picked up her fourth win of the season.  In another outstanding performance, she again pitched all innings for the Bobcats and struck out nine Northwood hitters.  Of the two runs given up, none were earned.

The Bobcats quickly got back to work in the first inning of game two, scoring two runs off one hit and one Northwood error.  The first run came off an error by the third baseman.  A few moments later, Murch was walked with the bases loaded and Christina Sacramento advanced home to give the Bobcats an early 2-0 lead.

Much like in game one, the Bobcats would protect the lead until the bottom seventh.  Northwood would again attempt to force extra innings.  For a time, it appeared they were well on their way to doing so.  They even managed to force a Bobcat pitching change from Catasus to Cristina Sacramento.  Inserted into a pinch, Sacramento was unable to prevent a Dirks RBI single from cutting the Bobcat lead to 2-1.  However, she was able to fly out Espinal to right field for the game's final out.

Cristina Sacramento truly showed her versatility for the Bobcats in game two.  She went two for four at the plate and managed to secure the victory, and earn her first save of the season, at the mound in the bottom seventh.  Matias, Catasus, and Distasio each accrued a hit in the day's second outing.  Murch would be credited with an RBI off a walk.

The sweep of Northwood ensures that the Bobcats will earn a spot in the Sun Conference Tournament.  The tournament is set to kick-off on Thursday, April 30th, in Clermont, Fla.  Updates will be provided as soon as match-ups are announced.