MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (March 17, 2023) – St. Thomas University (STU) Softball (18-5, 3-2 SUN)returned to Col. Jaquelin J. Kelly Field after a long road stint for spring break. The Bobcats brought Sun Conference action home taking on Thomas University (11-10, 2-3 SUN) for a double header to open the weekend series. The doubleheader was split on Friday afternoon.

In game one the early bats would prove to be the difference as the Nighthawks took it 3-0. Back-to-back base hits sparked a two run first inning. Thomas added on a run in the second.

St. Thomas had multiple opportunities getting the leadoff hitter on in four of the seven innings. The Bobcats also stranded eight baserunners, the most notable one leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth. 

Abbigail Smith came into relieve Kaitlin Spalding in the top of the third. Smith came in and shutdown the offense allowing just one hit in 4.2 innings of work getting one strikeout.

Game two had a full momentum shift for St. Thomas. Thomas once again got on the board first with a run in the first. Two five run innings, in the second and third led to a run-rule victory. Gabriella Gilbert highlighted the first five run inning with a three run shot to left center that blew things open at 5-1.

The very next inning saw the Bobcats tack on five more off five hits. Three of the tubs came with two outs.

Melody Vizcaino grabbed the win throwing four innings allowing four hits, two earned runs, two strikeouts and no walks.

St. Thomas will look to take the series in the rubber matchup tomorrow, Saturday March 18 at 12pm.

-STU-