MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (March 25, 2025) - The Battle of Miami Gardens commenced on Tuesday evening when the #18 St. Thomas University (STU) Softball team took on Florida Memorial University (FMU) at Colonel Jacqueline J. Kelly Field. It was a close contest, but the Bobcats pulled out the victory over the Lions in game one, 3-2.

Game One: St. Thomas 3, Florida Memorial 2:

• Florida Memorial was the first on the board in the Battle of Miami Gardens game one, scoring one run in the top of the first inning.
• St. Thomas responded in the bottom of the second with a single from Victoria Navarro, advancing Natalie Kopicova to second and scoring Bianca Palacios.
• The Bobcats kept the runs flowing, with another in the fourth from Palacios on a double from Kopicova, and a run from Mya Achenbach in the fifth on Kaitlyn Martinez' singled to right center, putting the Bobcats up 3-1.
• The Lions notched one more run in the top of the sixth, but it was not enough to put them in the lead. The Bobcats finished the game on top, defeating the Lions 3-2.
• Palacios had a standout performance in the game with two runs, two hits, and a stolen base for STU.
• Anna Toon notched the victory for this meeting, picking up seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
• This win extends the Bobcats' record to 26-4 overall and 9-1 in Sun Conference play.

Tomorrow, March 26th, the series will continue against Florida Memorial at 4 p.m. at the Colonel, followed by another meeting at 6 p.m.