Box Score MONTGOMERY, ALA.-It was a slug fest in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round--Montgomery Bracket for a duel between the Bobcats and the Foresters as the game opened up with the bats blazing. 

Huntington (34-11) took an early lead with a 2-run home run in the top of the first, but St. Thomas (35-18) closed out the top half of the inning ready to make a statement in the bottom half. 

With Orlando Rivera getting on base earlier in the inning off a single to left, David Palenzuela gave the Bobcats an answer when they needed one most, blasting a 2-run no doubter to right field. 

HU would regain the lead in the second inning but STU's Michael Centeno would hit a thunderous triple to deep right center which placed him in scoring position. A costly wild pitch from Huntington starting pitcher Mason Shinabery would help jolt him across home plate, tying the game at 3-3.

The Bobcats looked to take control of this game over the next couple frames.  The fifth inning brought two much needed runs for STU as they were able to jump out in front with its biggest lead of the game, a 2-run advantage. A sacrifice fly from Palenzuela brought in Centeno and a double to deep right from Oscar Rodriguez was able to bring in Jose Brito to provide a two-run cushion heading in to the sixth inning.

The sixth inning was a scoreless affair for both teams but it was the innings after that decided this game. The seventh, eighth and ninth innings all proved to be the difference makers here as the Bobcats took the rough end of the battle and the Foresters jumped ahead to ultimately tally HU to a game winning 12 runs.

On the night, Centeno went 3-for-5, falling just a home run short of completing the cycle, with one RBI and two runs under his belt. Oscar Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with one RBI and one walk on the night. Palenzuela was 2-for-4, as he brought in three RBI, two of which came off of his monstrous home run in the first, and scored one run.

On the mound, starting pitcher Chris Rodriguez ended his night with six innings pitched. His final line included six hits, three earned runs with three strikeouts.

Next up for the Bobcats is a matchup against the University of Cumberlands (Ky.) on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. ET in Montgomery, Ala.

Check in on our Twitter feed for any changes. To follow the game stats live click here and to watch the game click here.