CLERMONT, FLA. (March 3^rd, 2019) – The St. Thomas University Softball Team (10-4) dropped their final two games in the PFX Spring Games on Sunday afternoon and evening. Game one ended in favor of the Judson University Eagles (2-5) with a final score of 2-7. While game two ended in a seventh inning comeback from the receiving votes Bruins of Bellevue University (6-5) by a final score of 8-6.
 
Bobcat Starters: Melody Grafals (C), Rebeka Ehrenthal (RF), McKenna Delware (2B), Alliyah Sands (SS), Emily Santos (CF), Alexi Castroman (SP), Tyenna Colon (LF), Dayma Pla (1B), Sarah Descheene (3B)
Eagle Starters: Osborne (LF), Gagnon (CF), Dobson (C), Spivey (SS), Peterburs (3B), Herlihy (1B), Bartholomew (2B), Bucaro (RF), Harrison (DP)< kessler="">
 
Game One Notes:

• The Eagles sprung for six runs in the bottom half of the first inning to take an early lead, 6-0.
• STU was able to scratch for two runs in the top half of the second as Sands and Santos reached on base with back-to-back bunt singles.
• Castroman came in and was able to deliver an RBI infield single as she rocketed one to the shortstop that caught her off guard and brought home Sands while moving Santos into scoring position.
• Colon came up and delivered with an RBI single of her own to left field to bring home Santos and make the game 6-2.
• Judson capitalized on a St. Thomas error to score another run in the bottom of the second to make it 7-2.
• Spalding came into the game and was able to shut down the Eagle offense for four straight innings.

Box Score Notables:

• Kaitlin Spalding only allowed four base runners in her five inning outing (two hits, two walks) while recording five strike outs.
• Alliyah Sands: two-for-three with a run and stolen base.
• Emily Santos: two-for-three.
• Alexis Castroman: one-for-one with a run batted in and a run.
• Tyenna Colon: one-for-one with a run batted in.

 
 
Bobcat Starters: Grafals (C), Ehrenthal (RF), Delaware (2B), Sands (SS), E. Santos (CF), Castroman (DP), Pla (1B), Manieri (LF), Descheene (3B), Acevedo (SP)
Bruin Starters: Bliemeister (SS), Sharpe (3B), Teran (CF), Young (2B), Rochford (RF)< arnold="" (1b),="" glotfelty="" (lf),="" jurek="" (dp),="" brock="" (sp),="" lehigh="">
 
Game Two Notes:

• The Bruins took an early lead in the top of the first off, a solo homerun to make the game 1-0.
• STU regained the lead in the bottom frame, 2-1.
• Grafals got the party started with a single to center field and Ehrenthal drew a walk.
• Delaware laid down the sacrifice bunt to set up both runner in scoring position.
• Sands delivered a double to right center that drove in Grafals and Ehrenthal.
• The Bobcats scored a run in the bottom half of the second off a Descheene RBI single that brought home Manieri who reached on an error making the game 3-1.
• Bellevue capitalized on a Bobcat error and scored a run in the top of the third to make the game 3-2.
• St. Thomas would not go down fighting to win the inning as they put up two more in the bottom half of the third to make it 5-2.
• Alliyah Sands got her second base knock of the game to get things going.
• Emily Santos then came up big, recording the first triple of the season for STU and bringing in Sands all the way from first.
• Bellevue made a pitching change, but it would not matter to Castroman as she came in and roped a single that scored Santos.
• The Bruins continued to show some fight and scored in the top half of the fourth to make it 5-3.
• Senior Sands continued to put on a show as she recorded her second extra base hit of the game and second triple of the season to get the momentum back on the STU side.
• An error by the Bruins left fielder would allow Sands to score and make the game 6-3 in the bottom half of the fourth.
• Another solo homerun for Bellevue in the top of the fifth kept them in the game at 6-4.
• The Bruins would rally four runs in the top half of the seventh to take their first lead of the game at 8-6 into the last frame.
• Descheene hit a two-out single to left field to try and get a rally starter but it would not be enough in the end as the Bobcats would fall.

Box Score Notables

• Seniors, Melody Grafals and Alliyah Sands, were accountable for eight of the Bobcats thirteen hits.
• STU scored runs in the first four innings.
• This is the first double-digit hit game that the Bobcats lose in 2019.
• Sands was a homerun shy of the cycle (2 2Bs, 3B, 1B)
• Grafals records her second four-hit game of the season, third all-time.
• Sands records her first four-hit game of the season, second all-time.

 
St. Thomas will return home to 'The Colonel' to take on William Penn University (Iowa) on Tuesday night, March 5^th, 2019 for a double-header with first pitch being at 5 p.m.