ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – NCAA Division II Eckerd defeated St. Thomas 5-2 on Thursday evening in St. Petersburg.  STU's scoring came on solo home runs by Randy Oliva and Michael Centeno.

Trailing 1-0 after one inning, Oliva hit a home run in the top of the second to left-center field to tie the game at 1-1.  It marked the second home run for Oliva in the two-game series at Eckerd.
With the score 1-1, Centeno led off the fourth inning with a solo shot to left field.  It marked Centeno's team-best seventh home run of the season.

Jack Diaz was the only Bobcat with multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-4.

Rene Arauz made his first collegiate start and pitched three innings allowing one run on four hits while striking out six and walking none.  Andrew Denis pitched 2.2 innings in relief of Arauz, allowing four runs, two earned.  Jose Pupo pitched 1.1 innings of shutout relief and Brandon Valentin threw one inning, allowing no hits.

The Bobcats return home to Paul Demie Mainieri Field for action on Saturday at 12 p.m. vs. Stonehill followed by a game vs. Felician scheduled for 3:30 pm.