Miami Gardens, Fla. – Selected by NAIA Ball, the receiving votes St. Thomas Baseball Team's weekend series against No. 19 Taylor has been named the NAIA Ball Big Series of the Week. The Bobcats and Trojan resume their four-game slate on Friday, Feb.14 with a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. before concluding the weekend on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.
 
BASEBALL vs TAYLOR
Date: Feb. 14 | 3 p.m. (Doubleheader) / Feb. 15 | 1 p.m.
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla. | Paul Demie Mainieri Field
Media Coverage: Live Stats | Live Video | Tickets

St. Thomas (9-3) continues its NAIA Ball Big Series of the Week against Taylor after falling in the opener against the 19th-ranked Trojans 10-4 on Thursday, Feb. 13. The Bobcats hit .286 with a .407 slugging percentage off 16 doubles and 10 home runs while adding 74 RBI, 52 walks and 18 stolen bases. Eddie Novoa paces the offense behind a .429 batting average while Lucas Lopez scored 19 runs alongside three doubles and Kelvin Ayala boasts three home runs and 13 walks.

On the mound, the Bobcats sport a 4.70 ERA with 62 runs allowed, 54 earned, in 103.1 innings while striking out 114 batters. Carlos Polanco holds a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings over three starts, going 2-0 with 22 strikeouts while Juan Fernandez fans 26 in 20 innings and Sean Bencosme makes five mound appearances.

Taylor (5-3) heads into Friday's doubleheader following a 10-4 series-opening win. The Trojans hit .267 last spring with a .403 slugging percentage seven doubles, seven triples and six home runs on top of 56 RBI, 60 walks and 14 stolen bases. Brayden Manning hits a team-leading .370 with three triples while Mason David adds three doubles and Sam Gladd hits two home runs.

On the mound, Taylor holds a 4.76 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 70.0 innings. Gabel Pentecost logs a team-high 15.0 innings, sporting a 2.16 ERA with 21 strikeouts and two wins while Connor Mills makes five mound appearances.