ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - St. Thomas (12-5) defeated NCAA DII Eckerd (3-11) 13-2 on Tuesday night in the first of a two-game series between the two schools.  

Randy Oliva and Michael Centeno both homered for the Bobcats.  Oliva's home run was a 3-run shot that came as part of a four-run first inning.  Centeno's solo shot in the seventh inning was his team-best sixth of the season.

Starting pitcher Chris Rodriguez earned the win after allowing just one run on four hits over six innings pitched.  Rodriguez, who struck out five and walked four on the evening, shut out Eckerd from innings two through six.

Devon Stubbings, Jose Pupo and Anthony Justiniano each pitched one inning in relief and did not allow an earned run.

Entering the ninth inning, the Bobcats led 6-2 but then busted out with a seven-run frame that put the game out of reach.  An RBI-single by David Palenzuela and a two-RBI single by James Spatafora started STU's ninth-inning explosion.

The series concludes tomorrow at 4 p.m. in St. Petersburg.