WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Third ranked St. Thomas (50-5) defeated Thomas (28-25) 11-3 in the opening game of The Sun Conference Championship Tournament on Friday at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

Chris Garabedian went 2-for-4 with three RBI, Erick Delgado went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Nick Izquierdo was 2-for-4 with three runs scored to lead the Bobcats offensively. St. Thomas got on the board in the third inning, as Delgado came in to score on a dropped fly ball by the Thomas center fielder. Elih Marrero scored the second run of the inning on a Jackie Urbaez RBI single to center the next at-bat.

St. Thomas added runs in each of the innings from the third to the seventh to build a 9-3 lead over the Nighthawks before adding two more runs in the ninth inning to seal the game.

Orlando Rodriguez (13-0) remained undefeated on the season after allowing three runs on two hits while striking out six over 5.2 innings. Miguel Rodriguez pitched 3.1 shutout innings to finish off the Night Hawks.

In the eighth inning, with Miguel Rodriguez on the mound the Bobcats defense was able to turn a triple play for the first time this season. The rare feat started on a strikeout, followed by a pick-off to first by Marrero. The pick-off created a panic by the baserunners and the Bobcats defense was able to pounce and register the remaining two outs on rundowns to record the outs. 

St. Thomas will next face Keiser game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.  The six-team double elimination Sun Conference Championship Tournament continues through Monday at the Ballpark at the Palm Beaches.

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