MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 13, 2021) - No. 4 St. Thomas University (STU) (4-4, 2-1 TSC) earned a series victory over No. 15 Keiser University (12-2, 1-2 TSC) in the Sun Conference Series of the Week and split the Saturday doubleheader from Paul Demie Mainieri Field on Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats defeated KU 13-3 in game one and fell in the series finale, 19-18.
Game One
Bobcat Starters
Game Notes
- Keiser quickly jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, scoring the game's first run on a lead-off home run in the top of the first inning.
- The Seahawks lead was short-lived, as A. Fernandez blasted his second home run of the season over the left-center field fence and gave No. 4 STU a 2-1 lead.
- KU tied the game 2-2 with their second home run of the game to start the third inning.
- STU's offense erupted in the bottom of the third inning, scoring five runs and taking a sizable, 7-2 advantage.
- Lopez began the inning with a walk, which Rangel followed with a single up the middle.
- The Bobcats then scored three runs on three plays, as Rivero, A. Fernandez and Mondejar all drove in runs to bring the score to 5-2.
- Estevez doubled down the left-field line, which scored Emanuel Montesino, putting the score at 6-2.
- Khawly capped the five-run inning with an RBI single to right-center field.
- KU added another run in the top of the fourth inning, cutting into the STU lead, 7-3.
- St. Thomas plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, with Lowry bringing in Estevez on an RBI single and Guerra plating Khawly on a double, putting the score at 9-3.
- Christian Dearman entered the game in relief for Pino in the sixth inning.
- Dearman recorded two strikeouts in his first inning of work.
- Rivero started the bottom half of the sixth inning with his second home run of the season, putting STU on top, 10-3.
- Khawly followed suit with his first home run of the season, bringing in Montesino and extending the Bobcat advantage to 13-3.
- Dearman sealed the series victory by getting three outs in the seventh inning to finish a 13-3 run-rule win for the Bobcats.
MVBobcats
Andrew Fernandez: 3-4, HR, 3 RBI
Jack Khawly: 3-4, HR, 3 RBI
Alejandro Rivero: 2-4, 3 runs
Game Two
Bobcat Starters
- Lopez - Shortstop
- Rangel - Second Base
- Rivero - Third Base
- Robin Fernandez - First Base
- A. Fernandez - Catcher
- Estevez - Designated Hitter
- Khawly - Right Field
- Lowry - Center Field
- Thompson - Left Field
- Chris Coipel - Pitcher
Game Notes
- KU was once again able to get on the scoreboard early, plating four runs in the top of the first, when STU changed pitchers to Jose Machado.
- STU's error allowed two more runs to score for the Seahawks on the play, and Keiser finished the inning with eight runs on five hits.
- The Bobcats were able to load the bases in the bottom of the first inning, starting with a lead-off triple.
- R. Fernandez brought Lopez in with a sacrifice fly to center-field, getting STU on the board down 8-1.
- St. Thomas could not capitalize further, leaving the bases loaded and the score at 8-1.
- An RBI triple by the Seahawks extended their lead to 9-1 in the top of the second inning.
- Lowry capped off a four-run bottom of the third inning with his first home run of the season, hitting a three-run home run into the batting cages and bringing the score to 9-5.
- KU added three more runs to its total in the top of the fourth inning, taking a 12-5 lead over STU.
- R. Fernandez recorded his first career collegiate home run, driving a ball over the right-center field fence for a two-run blast to put the score at 12-7.
- A. Fernandez followed with his third home run of the season, second on the afternoon, as St. Thomas hit back-to-back home runs for the first time this season.
- Keiser scored more runs in the fifth and sixth innings, extending their lead to 17-8.
- Montesino pinch-hit for Lowry in the bottom of the sixth inning and homered over the scoreboard to bring the Bobcats closer but still trailed 17-10.
- Thompson and Lopez followed with back-to-back doubles, which scored Thompson and put the score at 17-11.
- Estevez led off the bottom of the eighth inning with his first home run, bringing the Bobcats closer 17-12.
- Thompson scored Borroto with a sacrifice fly, putting the score at 17-13.
- Rangel tallied his first home run of the 2021 campaign in the bottom of the eighth, bringing STU within two runs, 17-15.
- KU recorded two more runs in the top of the ninth inning, sending STU into the final frame down 19-15.
- Borroto added another home run for St. Thomas, bringing the deficit to one, 19-18.
- The tying run was picked off, ending the game and the series, as the Bobcats fell 19-18.
Upcoming
No. 4 STU completes the five-game homestand with a game against Florida National University on Tuesday, February 16, from Paul Demie Mainieri Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
