FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Bobcats (40-14) dropped their first match of the Sun Conference Tournament to Embry-Riddle (35-17) in a rematch of last night's contest.  In contrast to their last outing, the Bobcats were unable to generate any offense and were relatively held in check by Embry-Riddle's Zac Grotz.

Both teams would go scoreless over the first two innings thanks to the efforts of their pitchers.  It was not until the third that the Bobcats were able to break the stalemate.  Brandon Canizares doubled down the right field line, and eventually made his way to third off a wild pitch.  Canizares would score off a Michael Centeno ground-out on the very next play, good for a 1-0 lead.

The Eagles would counter in the next half-inning.  Hunter Bruehl singled through the left side, bringing in the game-tying run.  Kyle Zirbes followed with another RBI single to claim Embry-Riddle's first lead. 

With the Bobcats unable to respond in the bottom fourth, the Eagles went back to work in the top fifth.  An RBI single from Enderson Velasquez scored Tobias Moreno.  A few plays later, with the bases loaded, Kyle Buchanan was walked, resulting in another Eagle run.  Embry-Riddle would add two more runs off a fielding error by Centeno.  The inning, along with the Bobcats struggles on offense, would ultimately be their undoing as the Eagle's 6-1 lead would remain final.

Bryan Bermudez and Canizares each led the Bobcats with two hits.  Centeno had the team's lone RBI.  Alex Viera performed a stand-up job in clean-up duty.  He surrendered no runs in his 4.2 innings pitched and gave the Bobcats a chance, defensively, by stifling the Eagle hitters.

The untimely defeat prevented the Bobcats from clinching a spot in the championship game.  However, they will have the opportunity to do so again when they face Southeastern in a play-in game tomorrow morning.  First pitch is set for 11 A.M.  The winner of the match-up will move on to face Embry-Riddle in the Sun Conference Championship, which is scheduled to begin at 3 P.M.  St. Thomas previously defeated Southeastern 3-1 in both team's first match of the tournament.