MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – (#21 NAIA) St. Thomas (7-1) defeated (#15 NCAA DII) Nova Southeastern (3-4) 9-4 on Tuesday night at Paul Demie Mainieri Field.

Ian Exposito (2-0) made his second start on the season for the Bobcats and earned his second win on the season going six innings with six strikeouts, allowing three unearned runs on four hits and had two walks. The final three innings were pitched by Sawyer Losey, Tyler Morales and closed out by Erne Valdes. Valdes struck out two NSU hitters in the ninth inning, giving him 14 strikeouts in just 5.2 innings on the season.

Offensively for the Bobcats, Sergio Lopez (4-5, 2 RBIs, 3 R) and Nelson Mompierre (3-3, RBI, 2 R) continued to rake at the plate, providing a huge chunk of the production for the lineup against the Sharks pitching. Erick Delgado (2-3, 3 R) gave the Bobcats a spark at the bottom of the lineup as he scored a run every time he reached base. Being introduced tonight to the Bobcats offense was the Golden Rake, which will be awarded to the most productive offensive player on the game. The debut of the Golden Rake went to Lopez this evening.

Upcoming for #21 St. Thomas is the opening of conference play at Paul Demie Mainieri field starting on Friday, February 16^th against the Gyrenes from Ave Maria University.