MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Seventh ranked St. Thomas University (27-4, 9-1 TSC) defeated University of South Carolina Beaufort (13-13, 3-8 TSC) in walk-off fashion in a seven inning game, winning 13-2 on Friday night at Paul Demie Mainieri Field.

The Bobcats offense was able to continue their raking ways, scoring double digits yet again, with a 13-run performance with 12 hits. The scoring got started with a two-run first inning, in which Sergio Lopez (2-3, 2 RBI) plated Jackie Urbaez (1-2, 2 RBI, 3 R). Elih Marrero (2-3, 3R-HR, 5 RBIs) would also come in to score in the inning on an error following a pickoff attempt at third base.

St. Thomas added another run in the second inning, before scoring five runs in the third to break the game open. Lopez brought in Nelson Mompierre on a RBI double to left field which was the first of three consecutive RBI doubles for the Bobcats. In the fourth inning, Randy Oliva (1-2, Solo HR) would hit his fifth home run of the season to make the lead 9-1.

Leading 10-2 heading into the seventh inning the Bobcats would get the first two base runners on to set up a chance for Marrero to win the game. Marrero came through with a walk-off home run in to the batting cages to put the mercy rule into effect. The walk-off home run clinched Marrero's second Golden Rake of the season.

Orlando Rodriguez (7-0) earned his seventh win on the season, striking out eight Sandsharks, while only allowing only one hit and one run. Rodriguez would record five consecutive outs via strikeouts from the first to the third innings. Miguel Rodriguez came in for relief in the sixth inning but would need to be replaced by Tyler Morales who would finish out the game.

St. Thomas returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, Marc 23^rd with a doubleheader against University of South Carolina Beaufort with a double header starting at 12 p.m. at Paul Demie Mainieri Field to continue the conference series.

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