MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Alliyah Sands hit a solo, walk-off home run to center field in the bottom of the seventh to propel St. Thomas to a 5-4 win over Barry in the first night game ever played at Col. Jacquelin J. Kelly Softball Field on the campus of St. Thomas University.

The Bobcats trailed 4-2 in the middle of the sixth, then scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth with runs scored by Michelle Murch and Jessica Castiglione to tie the game up 4-4. 

Starting pitcher Emily Santos pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh by forcing two ground outs followed by a strikeout to set up the game-winning situation for Sands.

In the bottom of the seventh, Sands came to the plate with one out and the bases empty.  She then blasted a home run to dead center field for the walk off win as celebration ensued for the Bobcats.
Santos (1-0) earned the complete-game win, allowing just one earned run on eight hits, while striking out four and walking one batter.

Alysha Cole went 3-for-3 with one run scored and an RBI for the Bobcats.  Coyle scored a run as part of the fourth inning as Gigi Santos and Coyle each scored a run to tie the game at 2-2.  Barry then scored two runs in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead before the Bobcat comeback.
In game one of the doubleheader which started before the sun set, Barry defeated St. Thomas 9-1.  Sands went 2-for-3 in the first game with a double and a stolen base.

The doubleheader marked the regular-season debut of the new lighting system at Col. Jacquelin J. Kelly Softball Field.

Prior to the game, the Bobcats were honored by the Jason Taylor Foundation for the team's community service.
 

St. Thomas returns to action with an exhibition vs. Broward College on Friday, Feb. 10. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.