MIAMI GARDENS, Fla- No. 12 St. Thomas (8-2, 4-0 TSU) took care of Sun Conference foe No. 15 Keiser (10-4, 3-1 TSC) 7-3 on Friday night in game one of a weekend conference series between two top-5 Perfect Game ranked opponents—Keiser No. 1 and STU No. 4. Erne Valdes picked up his team-leading third win of the season, going five innings, striking out nine Seahawks, while only allowing three runs.

The night got started with a ceremonial first pitch by STU graduate Fred Maas, who was a member of the 1970-72 Bobcat baseball teams. Maas is now the Chief of Police for Sunny Isles Beach.

The Bobcats made sure to put on a show for Maas, and all STU fans in attendance. The intensity of the importance of this game was certainly felt. The Bobcats got off to a quick 3-0 start off as the top three hitters in the lineup—Orlando Rivera, Nick Canino, and David Palenzuela— collected hits and all scored a run. The team was able to produce another run in the bottom of the second inning when Canino drove in Michael Centeno on a single to centerfield.

The insurance run proved to be a difference maker in the ballgame. In the fifth inning, Valdes got into some trouble as the Seahawks tried to claw back into the game. Having already scored three runs, Valdes reached back to strike out the final two batters he faced to strand Keiser runners on second and third.

For the Seahawks, the fifth inning was the last opportunity to score. Andrew Denis and Brandon Valentin combined for four scoreless innings, shutting the door on Keiser. Denis earned a hold and Valentin picked up his first save of the season. The final was 7-3.

Nick Canino and Michael Centeno were offensive stars for the Bobcats in the victory. Canino went 3-for-5 with a double, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Centeno had a perfect night, going 4-for-4 at the plate. He scored 2 runs and had 1 RBI.

The series will continue Saturday, February 18 with a doubleheader. The game one action starts at 12 p.m. and the finale is scheduled for 3 p.m. The Bobcats will look to take the Sun Conference series with another win.