AVE MARIA, Fla. - St. Thomas came up short in both games of a doubleheader on Wednesday to open Sun Conference play on the road at Ave Maria. 

The Bobcats lost 6-2 in the first game, followed by a 3-1 defeat to the Gyrenes in game two of the twin billing.

In game on of the matchup, the Bobcats fell behind 5-0 after allowing four runs in the first inning followed by another run in the second.  

STU managed to cut the deficit to four runs with a run in the top of the third as an RBI single by Melody Grafals brought home Dayma Pla.

In the top of the fifth, AMU extended its lead back to five runs before the Bobcats responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame.  Alexa Spellman hit a pinch-hit, RBI-single to score Michelle Murch to make the score 6-2.

Jennifer Acevedo started the game for the Bobcats and was relieved by Alexis Castroman who was effective allowing just one run on five hits over four innings.

Ave Maria took control early again in the second game of the doubleheader leading 1-0 after the first inning and 3-0 after the third.

Both teams went scoreless from the fourth through the sixth innings. Down 3-0, the Bobcats managed a run on a RBI-single by Alysha Coyle to score GiGi Santos in the top of the seventh. However, AMU was able to limit STU to just the one run to secure the win.

In game two, Castroman started on the mound for the Bobcats and was relieved by Acevedo.  In relief, Acevedo threw three shutout innings allowing just two hits while recording two strikeouts.

St. Thomas returns home to continue Sun Conference play this Saturday vs. Southeastern.  First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. at Col. Jacquelin J. Kelly Field.

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