Raking (verb) – to really hit the ball hard, all over the park. When you're raking, you're hitting very well. (baseball-lingo.com).

The term "raking" receives its derivation from the popular tool used for gardening and can be applied in a baseball sense, when it comes to hitting. The term has been adopted by the St. Thomas University baseball team for the production that its high-powered offense has exhibited thus far in 2018.

The origins of the Golden Rake can be traced back to a fall practice in late September, when Bobcats third-baseman, Randy Oliva exclaimed the now famous phrase, "Yo! That guy rakes!" when watching head coach Jorge Perez raking the clay along the infield at Paul Demie Mainieri Field. The inspiration for the Golden Rake also came from the now globally recognized "Turnover Chain" made famous by the University of Miami football team last season.

Coach Perez was asked his thoughts about what the Golden Rake can do for team chemistry. "I like the fact that the award goes to different players and it promotes friendly competition within the team which the kids enjoy," said Perez who added that he has received feedback from other coaches around the NAIA.

Perez also appreciates the efforts of the members of team that operate the @STU_Baseball twitter account. "The social media really allows us an opportunity to promote the program and show everything that we are about here at St. Thomas University," said Perez.

As much as you, the fans, would like to believe that the Golden Rake was bestowed upon the St. Thomas University Bobcats by the baseball gods themselves… you may just be right.

Similar to how Excalibur chose Arthur of Lancelot, the Golden Rake recipient is chosen by a secret panel of voters following every St. Thomas University win. The legend of the Golden Rake began on February 13th, 2018 when the Bobcats took on the 2016 DII National Champion Nova Southeastern Sharks. The game was won by the Bobcats, 9-4 in what was an extraordinary exhibition of hitting, i.e. raking.The first Golden Rake was awarded to Sergio Lopez who went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and three runs in the win over the Sharks. Since receiving his first Golden Rake nomination, Lopez is hitting an outrageous .722 (13-18) with one home run, five RBIs, eight runs scored, and has three doubles.

Those numbers may have people wondering "Wow, is Lopez the only one that is raking for St. Thomas?" In fact, several other Bobcats have already earned Golden Rakes of their own.

The whole lineup has participated in their fair share of raking and since the Golden Rakes inception Jackie Urbaez, Nelson Mompierre, Erick Delgado have also made their hitting prowess (raking) in games turn to gold. Although Lopez was the first to garner the recognition of the Golden Rake, Urbaez was the first to earn two Golden Rakes and was able to do so in consecutive games against Ave Maria to open Sun Conference play for the Bobcats. On Friday, February 16^th, Urbaez went 4-for-5 with two doubles, five RBI and a run scored to lead STU to a 13-0 victory. In an encore performance on Saturday, February 17^th, Urbaez would launch a lead-off home run on the second pitch of the game in an absolute gem of a game from starting pitcher Chris Rodriguez. The solo home run would provide Rodriguez with all the offense he would need.  In game three of the series, Mompierre would go 2-for-2 with a double, 3 RBI and 3 runs to earn his first career Golden Rake award.

The Golden Rake is awarded to the Bobcats offensive player who is responsible for the most productive offensive day in a winning effort by St. Thomas.  The sabermetric statistic Weighted Runs Created is the primary statistic used to decide the Golden Rake recipient followed by the always important stat of hits and home runs.  
 
Golden Rake Leaderboard
1st - Nelson Mompierre - eight Golden Rakes
2nd - Jackie Urbaez - seven Golden Rakes
3rd - Elih Marrero - six Golden Rakes
3rd (tied)  Sergio Lopez – six Golden Rakes
5th - Chris Garabedian - five Golden Rakes
6th - Erick Delgado - four Golden Rakes
7th - Randy Oliva - three Golden Rakes
8th - Oscar Rodriguez - two Golden Rakes
8th (tied) Daniel Lowry - two Golden Rake
10th - Nick Izquierdo - one Golden Rake