Miami Gardens, Fla. After completing a three-game sweep this past weekend against McPherson College, the Bobcats will host Oakland City University in another three-game set. The Mighty Oaks, the 2025 River State Conference Champions, will open their season against the Bobcats. The series will open with a single game on Friday, January 30 at 6:00 pm, and conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday, January 31 at 1:00 pm.
Game Details
Teams: Oakland City University (0-0) at St. Thomas University (3-0)
Dates: Friday, January 30 (6:00 pm) and Saturday, January 31 (1:00 pm and 4:00 pm)
Location: Paul Demie Mainieri Field | Miami Gardens, Fla.
Media: Live Stats |
Live Video |
Tickets
Probable Starters
Game 1 (Friday, January 30 at 6:00 pm): RHP Matt Lighthall (0-0, -.-- ERA) vs. RHP Juan Fernandez (1-0, 3.00 ERA)
Game 2 (Saturday, January 31 at 1:00 pm): RHP Tommy Johnson (0-0, -.-- ERA) vs. RHP Diego Evans (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Game 3 (Saturday, January 31 at 4:00 pm): RHP Landen Ray (0-0, -.-- ERA) vs. LHP Ismael Cordoba (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
Series History
This will mark the first games between St. Thomas and Oakland City.
Evans Wins NAIA Ball Pitcher of the Week
Following his start last weekend against McPherson College, RHP Diego Evans was awarded Pitcher of the Week by NAIA Ball. This media award is given to one pitcher each week for the best performance around the NAIA. It is an impressive feat for Evans, who threw 6 shutout innings, while striking out 12 batters. He allowed just 2 hits, while not walking anyone. Evans will toe the rubber for game two of the series.
Arizona Western College Rotation Connection
Both probable pitchers for the Bobcats for Saturday's doubleheader, Diego Evans and Ismael Cordoba, were teammates last year for the Arizona Western College Matadors. Last weekend, they combined to throw 11 innings, allowing just one run, one walk, and four hits. They also combined to strike out 14 batters. Both had solid years for the Matadors last year in a tough Arizona Community College Athletic Association Conference, with Evans having a 3.97 ERA, and Cordoba a 5.01 ERA. Both look to continue the early success they have had as Bobcats.
Bobcats' Offense Taking Advantage of Free Passes
The Bobcats' offense was given many free passes by McPherson College, walking 18 times, being hit by 7 pitches, and advancing on 12 wild pitches. The Bobcats took advantage of these free passes, averaging 9.33 runs per game over Opening Weekend. They hit .319 as a team, and slugged .451. The offensive surge last weekend was led by Daytan Biegel, who hit .455, with 2 home runs and had 5 RBI. Oakland City did not give up many free passes last season, so the Bobcats will need to manufacture more runs by themselves to keep up their current offensive pace.
Scouting Oakland City
The Mighty Oaks, led by 6th year Head Coach Andy Lasher, traveled approximately 950 miles from Oakland City, Indiana, to play St. Thomas. Oakland City was both the River States Conference Regular Season and Tournament Champions. They played in the NAIA Opening Round in Waleska, Georgia, going 0-2 in the tournament. Afterwards, they played in the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament, going 1-2. The Mighty Oaks played two Sun Conference opponents last season, Webber International and Ave Maria, and they went 1-4. There are many new faces for Mighty Oaks, including a brand new assistant coaching staff.
Oakland City returns one of their best performers last season, two-way Dicky Gonzalez. The Puerto Rico native led the Mighty Oaks offensively with a .385 AVG , .615 SLG, and more walks than strikeouts. Gonzalez also threw 41.1 innings on the mound with a 4.57 ERA. Marcos Arocho, who hit .303 last season, is the only other every-day offensive starter returning for Oakland City.
On the mound, Oakland City's best reliever, Chase Rubenacker, returns. As a freshman last season, Rubenacker had a 2.05 ERA in 48.1 innings. The Mighty Oak's Opening Day starter is a transfer from the University of Southern Indiana, Matt Lighthall. Lighthall did not pitch in 2025, and last pitched for the Rochester Honkers of the Northwoods League in 2024. Lighthall was one of the best pitchers for the Honkers, throwing 25.2 innings with a 3.51 ERA, giving up just 18 hits. Current Bobcat Nicholas Alonso faced Lighthall that season, and Alonso flew out twice and walked once. Also, a familiar face makes his return to Paul Demie Mainier Field for the Mighty Oaks. 2024 Bobcat Manny De Gracia is now pitching at Oakland City. This is his first year back in college baseball since his 2024 season with the Bobcats, in which he had a 7.00 ERA in 27 innings.
