FT. MYERS, Fla. – 18^th ranked Embry-Riddle (36-17) defeated no. 21 St. Thomas (41-15) 2-1 in 11 innings in the championship game of The Sun Conference Championship held at City of Palms Park in Ft Myers, Fla.  ERAU won on a bizarre walk-off bunt by Kyle Buchanan that scored Enderson Velasquez.
 
Embry-Riddle scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first and held a 1-0 lead through six innings.  In the top of the seventh, the Bobcats loaded the bases after a bunt base hit by Steven Fischer.  Despite Oscar Rodriguez grounding into a double play, Paul Chacin was able to score the tying run.
 
The score remained tied 1-1 until the bottom of the 11th when the Eagles used three consecutive singles capped by Buchanan's bunt to generate the game-winning run.
 
Both teams' pitching was brilliant as Stetson Nelson went nine innings allowing just three hits and no earned runs for the Eagles.  Nelson was relieved by Clayton Wagner who was credited with the win after pitching two scoreless innings.
 
The Bobcats starting pitcher, freshman Karlin Sued, did not allow an earned run over a career-high seven innings.  Sued allowed just four hits, while striking out four and walking one.  Sued was relieved by Marcos Barrios who pitched two shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three.  Brandon Valentine came in to pitch the 11^th inning and was charged with the loss.
 
Earlier Monday, the Bobcats won an elimination game 7-5 over Southeastern.  The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Chacin in the first inning, but then fell behind 4-1 after a four-run top of the fifth by the Fire.
 
STU rallied with five runs in the bottom of the fifth starting with an RBI-single by Chacin that scored Michael Centeno.  Two runs then came across for the Bobcats on an Eric Santamaria fielder's choice and an SEU error.  With two outs and the score tied at four, Steven Fischer then hit a two-run home run  off a 2-1 count to left field to give the Bobcats a 6-4 lead and complete the five-run rally.
 
The Bobcats added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Downs hit a single that was coupled with a fielding error that scored Adam Duarte.  Southeastern scored in the top of the ninth, but Chris Rodriguez struck out two of four batters he faced to close out the game for the Bobcats and eliminate the Fire.
 
St. Thomas now awaits announcements for the NAIA National Championships.  The 46 national qualifiers will be announced on Friday at 4 p.m. ET on www.naia.org and the Opening Round pairings announced at 7 p.m. ET.