Box Score BABSON PARK, Fla. - St. Thomas (5-11, 1-0 TSC) knocked off 11th ranked Webber International (5-4, 0-1 TSC) in the Sun Conference opener for both teams.

Alliyah Sands and GiGi Santos each hit home runs to lead the Bobcats who raced out to a 5-0 lead after three innings.

STU led 5-4 after six innings, then tacked on three runs in the top of the seventh.  The Bobcats held off the Warriors in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.

Sands had a huge day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and  two runs scored.  Melody Grafals went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.

The Bobcats jumped to an early lead with three runs in the top of the first.  Jessica Castiglione singled to score Grafals which was followed by a double by Sands.  Kaitlin O'Hara then hit a 2-RBI single scoring Castiglione and Sands.

GiGi Santos then hit her first career home run as a collegiate in the second inning to give STU a 4-0 lead.  Sands followed the next inning with her second home run of the year to extend the lead to 5-0.

Castiglione was the starting pitcher for the game and blanked the Warriors and allowed just just two hits over the first four innings.

With the score 5-4 in the top of the seventh, the Bobcats created insurance runs off an 2-RBI double by Emily Santos and an RBI-single by Sands.  The Warriors tried to rally with two home runs in the bottom of the seventh but the Bobcats thwarted the comeback with the final out to take home the victory.

The three-game series concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday in Babson Park.