HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - St. Thomas (21-9, 6-4 TSC) dropped the first game of a road Sun Conference series to host USCB (18-8, 7-3 TSC) 6-3 Friday afternoon.

Jack Diaz went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Michael Centeno hit a double with a run scored to lead the Bobcats.

Erne Valdes (6-1) took his first loss of he season after going five innings allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Tyeler Checkley pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief allowing two hits with two strikeouts and no walks.

Jose Pupo came in and pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

STU jumped to an early lead in the top of the first as Centeno doubled, then scored on a Diaz RBI-single.

USCB then took the lead with two runs in the second before James Spatafora singled then scored on an error to tie the game 2-2. The Sand Sharks retook the lead with two unearned runs in the fifth inning.

An RBI single by Randy Oliva scored Orlando Rivera before USCB scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-3 lead.

The series resumes Saturday with a doubleheader in Hardeeville, S.C.