MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 3, 2022) – The 17
th ranked St. Thomas University (STU) Baseball team (2-0) took on NCAA Division II opponent Rollin College (1-1) from Paul Demie Mainieri Field on Thursday afternoon in some matinée action. This was the first matchup between the teams since 2013 and the first at home for STU. This was also a unique matchup for Head Coach
Jorge Perez as he played against his alma mater.
Bobcat Starting Lineup
CF –Â
Ezequiel Valdez
SS –Â
Josue Rangel
1B –Â
Jack Khawly
DH –Â
Angelo Piloto
LF –
Emanuel Montesino
3B –Â
Robin Fernandez
RF –Â
Brian Garcia
C –Â
Andrew Fernandez
2B –Â
Chris Schoeller
SP –Â
Gio Soto
Game Notes
Gio Soto got his first starting nod of the season and first since March 12
th as the fifth-year senior looks to make a strong return after an early exit last season due to an arm injury. Soto went three and third innings giving up five hits and two earned runs while striking out three.
Rollins got on the board first with a two-run shot over the left field fence to take the early lead in the top of the second.
The Bobcats then used a four-run bottom of the fifth inning to rally on back to take the lead. The inning got started with a hit by pitch to
Andrew Fernandez as he led off the inning.
Chris Schoeller than had a single through the right side to get Fernandez over to third base.
Ezequiel Valdez kept it going with an RBI single to center to get the Bobcats on the board.
Angelo Pilot drew a two-out walk that kept the inning going. Schoeller then came around and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game up at two all. The left field
Emanuel Montesino had the biggest hit of the game with a go-ahead two-RBI single to centerfield that brought home Piloto and Valdez.
Jose Machado,
JJ Teixeira, and
Fernando Medina were the arms used to shutdown the Tars in the final frames. Machado led the way with two innings pitched, retired all six-batters faced and not allowing a baserunner while picking up two strike outs. Teixeira then came in a threw just six-pitches to get out of his one inning performance getting two groundouts and a flyout. Medina slammed the door in the final frame and collected the first save of the season. After allowing a leadoff double, the sophomore right-hander struck out the next three batters to secure the win for STU.
Up Next
St. Thomas will continue the NCAA Division II opponent tour, taking on Barry University on Tuesday, February 8 at Paul Demie Mainieri Field with firs pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.
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