FORT MYERS, FL – The St. Thomas University Bobcats suffer a heart-breaking loss in extra innings to end their season by a score of 6-5, to the #2 seeded Warner University Royals. The game ended in the 10th inning when the Bobcats were unable to score the game-tying run. This was the 3rd game for the Bobcats in The Sun Conference Tournament, as they lost their first game to Warner, then bounced back to beat Webber International. The Royals lost to Savannah College of Art and Design, which forced a rematch between the Royals and the Bobcats in an elimination game.
The Bobcats held a 4-1 lead heading into the 5th inning after Oswaldo Troconis hit a 2-run triple in the 2nd inning that was then followed by an RBI double from DePhillip Mason. Mason was then batted in by a sacrifice fly by Lance Larimer. The Royals then steadily chipped into the lead as they scored 1 in the 5th inning, 2 in the 6th inning, and 1 in the 7th inning. The Bobcats were then trailing 4-5 heading into the 8th inning. Kyle Radziewski tied the game up in the 8th when he singled home Lance Larimer.
The game was then extended into the 10th inning as the teams battled back and forth. Warner struck in the top of the 10th when they got a run across to take the lead 6-5. With Alvaro Bastos at 3rd representing the tying run, the sacrifice squeeze was in with Marlon Pascual at bat. Pascual laid down a great bunt, but the Royals pitcher made an excellent play to get Bastos out at home to preserve the lead. The game then ended with the next batter as Ruy Rodriguez grounded out.
Offensively the Bobcats put up 5 runs on 11 hits. 3 different Bobcats racked up multiple hit games; Alvaro Bastos went 2-4, Kyle Radziewski went 2-5 with a RBI, and Oswaldo Troconis went 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Lance Larimer and DePhillip Mason each went 1-3 with a RBI and a run scored. Mason added two walks.
Kelvin Colon got the start for the Bobcats pitching a solid 4.2 innings allowing 2 runs (none earned) on only 4 hits. Robert Reina then relieved Colon as he pitched 1 inning allowing 2 runs on 1 hit. Jesus Blanco then came in to relieve Reina. Blanco pitched 2.1 innings and allowed 1 run on 4 hits. Manuel Rodriguez then relieved Blanco. Rodriguez was credited for the loss for the Bobcats as he gave up the 1 run in the 10th inning. Rodriguez pitched the 9th and 10th innings allowing just the one run and 2 hits.
The loss ends the season for the Bobcats. Their overall record ended up at 24-33. The Bobcats got off to a slow start this season and slowly turned it around throughout the season. Their play steadily improved throughout the year and into conference play. The Bobcats only have 4 seniors on their team, so a good majority of the team will be returning next year. The Bobcats’ youth started to show their improvement throughout the year and they will be looking to build on that into next season. The Bobcats finished 5th in The Sun Conference, but showed they have the ability to compete with the tops teams in the conference.