MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The fourth ranked St. Thomas University Bobcats (49-5, 22-2 TSC) finished the regular season with a doubleheader sweep over Florida National University with wins of 13-2 and 12-1 on Saturday afternoon from Paul Demie Mainieri Field.
The Bobcats have now won 36 of their last 38 games, dating back to March 1st.
The win gives the 2018 Bobcats the claim to the highest regular season winning percentage (.907) and most regular season wins (49) in school history. The record for regular season wins breaks the previous record of 45-10 by the 1998 Bobcats that went on to set the school record for overall wins (54), including postseason.
Prior to start of game one of the doubleheader, St. Thomas University honored nine seniors: Chris Rodriguez, Nelson Mompierre, Erne Valdes, Tyeler Checkley, Jose Pupo, Randy Oliva, Oscar Rodriguez, Jose Brito, and Ruben Ramos in a ceremony to celebrate their academic and on-field accomplishments during their careers at St. Thomas University.
In game one of the doubleheader, Chris Rodriguez (9-1) earned his ninth win of the season pitching five innings, allowing two unearned runs, and striking out four. The senior turned the ball over in relief to two other seniors, Ruben Ramos and Jose Pupo who each pitched an inning to finish off the game in seven innings due to the run-rule.
St. Thomas got the scoring started early once again in game two of the series, Jackie Urbaez got the Bobcats on the board with a sacrifice fly bringing in Erick Delgado. Mompierre (2-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI) launched his first of two home runs in the game, which brought his season total to 15, to get STU the lead and the team did not look back as they added two more runs in the bottom of the first inning.
In the third inning, Elih Marrero continued his fantastic weekend as he hit his second home run of the series and first of the day to extend the Bobcats lead. Marrero also added another home run as part of a 3-for-4 performance in the seventh inning, his first of two multi-home run performances on the day.
Seniors, Jose Brito (2-3, 2 RBI) and Randy Oliva (2-3, 3 R) also recorded multi-hit performances on their senior days to contribute to the offense.
In the regular season finale, St. Thomas once again scored in double digits to cruise to the series sweep.
St. Thomas was up 9-1 after three innings of play to build up a comfortable lead in the game.
Marrero launched two more home runs in the first and second innings to give him four on the day, five on the weekend and bring his season total to eight as he went 3-for-4 to become the first Bobcats baseball player to earn three consecutive golden rake nominations.
Urbaez hit his eighth home run on the season also in the second inning as he went 3-for-3, a third inning single to centerfield moved him into the nationwide lead in the NAIA with his 84th of the season.
Ian Exposito (9-0) earned his ninth win of the season to be one of two St. Thomas University weekend starters to complete the regular season with being given a loss as a decision. Exposito pitched five innings, allowing three hits, one unearned run and struck out five Conquistadors. Checkley made his final appearance at Paul Demie Mainieri Field, as the senior pitched the sixth inning striking out two. Miguel Rodriguez finished the game, pitching the seventh inning and registered two strikeouts as well.
Up next for St. Thomas is a trip to the FITTEAM Ballpark in West Palm Beach as they look to defend their regular season conference championship in the Sun Conference tournament. The Bobcats will be the no. 1  seed and will be taking on no. 6 seed Thomas University on Friday, April 4th with first pitch at 11 a.m. to open the tournament. For more information, go to thesunconference.com
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