MIAMI GARDENS, Fla – No. 3 (Perfect Game) St. Thomas (21-8) defeated Sun Conference rival Ave Maria (14-16) by a score of 4-2 in a mid-week game on Wednesday night.

The Gyrenes jumped the Bobcats early for two runs in the first inning. STU answered back with a run off a single by Jack Diaz, scoring Michael Centeno, to stay within striking distance.

Alex Perez started the game for the Bobcats, going four innings, gave up two runs, walked three and struck out seven Gyrene batters. Tyler Morales came in for relief of Perez, working three innings, struck out five, and held Ave Maria scoreless.

In a 2-2 game heading into the bottom of the fifth, Bobcat hitters manufactured a run. With runners on the corners, STU got creative. Oscar Rodriguez attempted a steal, prompting a throw over to first from the pitcher. Rodriguez worked his way into a rundown, which allowed the speedy leadoff hitter Orlando Rivera to race towards home plate to score the go-ahead run for the Bobcats.

In the top of the eighth, with runners on first and second with two outs, Tyeler Checkley entered the game for Alex Sarmiento. Checkley was able to strand the tying run on second by getting a fly out to center field.

St. Thomas would add on another run in the bottom half of the inning, extending the lead to 4-2. The Bobcats would seal the victory with a save by Brandon Valentin.

STU travels to South Carolina to play a Sun Conference series against USCB.