MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (March 20, 2021) - No. 12 St. Thomas University (19-9) completed a four-game sweep over the Florida National University Conquistadors on Saturday afternoon from Paul Demie Mainieri Field. In game one of the doubleheader, St. Thomas rallied and came back to defeat Florida National 8-3 and followed with a 9-1 win to complete the sweep.

Head Baseball Coach Jorge Perez became the all-time wins leader at STU following the victory in game one of the afternoon, winning his 452nd game at St. Thomas University and passing STU Hall of Famer Manny Mantrana. 

Perez, who began his tenure in 2009, has led the Bobcats Baseball team to unprecedented heights. Perez guided STU to three NAIA World Series appearances (2015, 2018, 2019), two NAIA National Championship game appearances (2015, 2019), holds the program record for wins in a single season (56/2018), one Sun Conference regular-season title (2018) and one Sun Conference tournament championship (2012). 

During his tenure, Perez has seen 12-players sign affiliated contracts with Major League Baseball teams.

"Today is a big day for my family, the program, and myself. I want to thank my wife and my daughters, as well as my mentors, Manny Mantrana and Paul Mainieri. They have prepared me for this position, and their support means the world," said Perez. "I don't take any wins for granted. I am grateful for every day I have the chance to put on the navy and maroon for St. Thomas University."

"I am incredibly proud of and thankful for [Assistant Head Coach] JC Gutierrez, all of the players that have come through our program, [former Athletic Director] Laura Courtley-Todd for trusting me, and President Armstrong for his constant support," continued Perez.

Game One 
Bobcat Starters

• Josue Rangel - Second Base
• Jack Khawly - First Base
• Erik Estevez - Designated Hitter
• Alejandro Rivero - Third Base
• Andrew Fernandez - Catcher
• Orlando Borroto - Right Field
• Gus Guerra - Left Field
• Joel Franco - Center Field
• Adiel Quintana - Shortstop
• Yordy Cabrera - Pitcher

Game Notes

• Florida National opened the game with a three-run top of the first inning.
• Cabrera struck out the lead-off hitter, and FNU tacked its first run with two consecutive hits.
• After a one-out single, the Conquistadors followed with an RBI triple, putting the score at 1-0. An RBI groundout scored the second run and a solo home run capped off the three-run frame.
• Following the three-run first inning, Cabrera only allowed four baserunners for the remainder of his outing. 
• STU was finally able to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Borroto scored when Franco got into a run-down.
• In the bottom of the sixth inning, Rivero plated Rangel on a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 3-2.
• Khawly came into score to tie the game on an error by the FNU third baseman.
• STU added two more runs in the frame on errors by the Conquistadors, taking a 5-3 lead.
• Jason Grana entered in relief for the Bobcats, with STU clinging to a 5-3 lead.
• FNU put the tying run in scoring position, but Grana was able to escape the jam, sealing his second save of the weekend.
• Head Coach Jorge Perez was honored in a post-game ceremony to commemorate his record-setting win.

MVBobcats

• Jorge Perez: Became the all-time winningest coach in the history of St. Thomas University Baseball (452).

Game Two
Bobcat Starters

• Josue Rangel - Second Base
• Jack Khawly - First Base
• Erik Estevez - Catcher
• Alejandro Rivero - Third Base
• Orlando Borroto - Left Field
• Robin Fernandez - Designated Hitter
• Andrew Fernandez - Right Field
• Joey Thompson - Center Field
• Pablo Delgado - Shortstop
• Andy Quintana - Pitcher

Game Notes

• Quintana began the game by striking out three Conquistadors in the first inning.
• Khawly recorded a single and promptly swiped second base getting in scoring position in the bottom of the first inning.
• Rivero and Borroto followed with back-to-back run-scoring hits to put STU ahead 2-0.
• Quintana tallied two more strikeouts in the top of the second inning.
• Florida National loaded the bases following three consecutive walks to load the bases in the top of the third inning.
• Quintana was relieved by Luis Gonzalez, as the freshman inherited a bases-loaded situation.
• After striking out the first batter he faced, FNU plated two on a two-run single, tying the game at 2-2.
• R. Fernandez and Borroto recorded back-to-back doubles, reclaiming the lead for St. Thomas, 3-2.
• Delgado finished the inning with an RBI single to right field, bringing in Fernandez, as STU led 4-2 after four innings. 
• Gonzalez pitched the remainder of the ball-game, closing out a 4-2 win for St. Thomas and earning his third win of the 2021 campaign.

MVBobcats

• Robin Fernandez: 2-3, RBI, run
• Orlando Borroto: 2-3, double
• Luis Gonzalez: (3-2), 5 IP, two strikeouts.

Upcoming
No. 12 St. Thomas continues a mid-season home stand with a non-conference doubleheader against Ave Maria University on Tuesday, March 23, beginning at 3:30 p.m. from Paul Demie Mainieri Field.

-STU-