MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 8, 2022) – The 17^th ranked St. Thomas University Baseball team (3-0)
 
Bobcat Starters
Ezequiel Valdez – CF
Josue Rangel – SS
Jack Khawly – 1B
Emanuel Montesino – LF
Brian Garcia – RF
Andrew Fernandez – C
Robin Fernandez – 3B
Alan Caretta – DH
Chris Schoeller – 2B
Richard Sanchez – SP
 
Game Notes
The Bobcats got the offense going early as Ezequiel Valdez continued to keep his streak alive making it nine straight plate appearances reaching a base. Josue Rangel then quickly followed suit picking up his first hit of the season with a monster double of the left field fence. St. Thomas quickly found themselves with the bases loaded and no outs after Jack Khawly drew the walk.
 
Emanuel Montesino brought in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to left field bringing home Valdez. Barry then settled in a struck out back-to-back batters leaving two stranded.
 
The Buccaneers tied the game in the top half of the second taking advantage of a passed ball and then a double down the right field line. Robert Touron then came in to relieve Jordan Rodriguez and stranded runners on the corners to keep it a tie ball game.
 
Barry continued their offense taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the third after sparking a two-out rally. A double a single and another double plated the second run for the Bucs. Both teams contested in the middle frames until The Bobcats were able to spark a big inning in the bottom half of the sixth.
 
In the top half of the sixth, newly brought up freshmen Jake Romano, had his collegiate debut and did not disappoint fanning away his first batter faced. Romano retired three of four batters faced allowing just one walk.
 
The bottom half of the sixth saw the script flip for the final time. Ezequiel Valdez got the inning going drawing a leadoff walk, then advanced on a wild pitch, and then stole third. Rangel reached on a walk to put runners on the corners. With a hit in run in play, the Bobcats were able to dodge a double play as Khawly roped one back to the pitcher.
 
Montesino came through with another sacrifice fly that brought home Valdez to make it two-all. Brian Garcia then drew the intentional walk. Andrew Fernandez had the big hit of the ball game driving in Rangel and Garcia with a double to right field. This gave the Bobcats a 4-2 advantage. Robin Fernandez followed with a double of his own that extended it 5-2. The Bucs went to the bullpen for a pitching change, but it did not stop the STU offense as Alan Caretta singled up the middle to bring home Fernandez to cap off the five-run inning.
 
 
Both teams traded runs in the seventh inning to keep the lead at four. Bobcat pitchers came out of the bullpen hot as Joel Rivero, Jose Machado, Jake Romano and JJ Teixeira had shut down innings, picking up seven strikeouts.
 
Box Score Notables

• This is the first 3-0 start since 2018 for the Bobcats Baseball team.
• Jake Romano picks up the win in his collegiate debut.
• Ezequiel Valdez had a streak of 10 straight plate appearances reaching safely to open the season.
• Josue Rangel earned the #GoldenRake going 2 for 3 with two runs, two doubles, and a walk.

 
Up Next
The Bobcats will head to Georgia to take on some tough competition. First up is no. 5 Tennessee Wesleyan. This will be a rematch of the 2019 World Series Championship game. St. Thomas will also take on no. 6 Faulkner and no. 21 Reinhardt. Tennessee Wesleyan will be the first game on Thursday, February 10, first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.