Auburndale, Fla. - The Saints took on the St. Thomas Bobcats on day two of their Florida spring break trip today (Mar. 8) in a tough double header. While the Saints fought hard, they were unable to overcome the Bobcats in the final inning of both games, falling to STU by just one run in both games.
 
This moves the Saints to 6-8 in the season after today's result.
 
Game 1: St. Thomas 6, Aquinas 5 (8 Innings)
 
In the first inning, Ramsey Bousseau started the Saints off strong with a single to center where he was then able to advance to second on a balk by the Bobcat pitcher. Luke LaCross joined him on the bases when he was hit by a pitch. 
 
With momentum behind the Saints, the Bobcat catcher errored on a failed pickoff attempt, allowing Bousseau and LaCross to advance. The Bobcats seemed to be shaken up by the Saints energy. Their pitcher had yet another balk, this time scoring Bousseau and putting LaCross on third.
 
Nathan Wilcox hit a hard ball to the second baseman, unable to get to the green but earning an RBI in the process. With that run, the Saints took a lead of 2-0, only changing when the Saints scored again in the fourth.
 
The fourth inning started with a single from JD Gillies and a SAC bunt by Ryan Gillings to get the Saints moving. Landon Mueller earned an RBI by hitting a single to right that scored Gillies' pinch runner, Dawson Shearer. The Saints left two on base to end the inning. 
 
The score by the end of the fourth inning was Saints 3 Bobcats 0. The Bobcats weren't able to earn a run until the bottom of the fifth inning where they made the score 3-1. The Saints left two on base in the top of the sixth and were followed by the Bobcats bringing in three runs. 
 
The Saints were not discouraged and came back swinging big. Wilcox started the bats with a single to center. This was followed by a bunt by Mark Binkowski that left a fielder's choice. Gillings brought in a single that advanced Binkowski. Mueller got a single that brought in Binkowski for an RBI. After the Saints scored, runners advanced but were left on base. 
 
The Saints followed a similar pattern in the top of the eighth. LaCross singled to right field. Cameron Greener laid down a bunt but the Bobcats took the fielder's choice and got LaCross out at second. Wilcox singled down the first baseline, advancing Greener. Greener continued to third on a Bobcat error. Binkowski was intentionally walked to load the bases. Gillies grounded out to third with an RBI scored by Greener. 
 
Unfortunately for the Saints, the Bobcats hadn't given up and scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to end the game in an extra inning. 
 
Pitching for the Saints were Hunter Doyle to start, Grant Martin, Blake Waibel, and finally, Sean Page to close. In the four innings Doyle pitched, he had three strikeouts and only allowed two hits. 
 
Game 2: St. Thomas 5, Aquinas 4 (7 Innings)
 
The Saints got the home-field advantage in game two. Similarly to the first game, the Saints' bats were hot. Shearer started the Saints by getting to first on an error by the Bobcat shortstop. Shearer advanced to second on a wild pitch and was sent to third after Binkowski and Gillies were walked. Drew Mitchell got the RBI with a solid hit to center. This allowed Shearer to advance and score.
 
St. Thomas had a good second inning, scoring two. This made the score 2-1 Bobcats. Neither team scored until the Bobcats cut in with a run in the top of the fifth and another in the sixth. 
 
Bousseau scored in the sixth inning, with Martin advancing him to second on a single and Jayden Timmer pushing him to third on ground out. A wild pitch by the Bobcats is what brought him home. 
 
Bobcats scored again in the seventh but the Saints fought back, bringing in two runs. Wilcox brought in LaCross with a single through the left side. Binkowski scored on a wild pitch soon after. 
 
On the mound in game two were Kasy Shadduck and Sam Pollak. Shadduck clocked in three strikeouts for the Saints and was able to keep the Bobcats at Bay. 
 
By the Numbers
 
The Saints had five runs on 13 hits with four RBIs in game one. LaCross and Wilcox both went two for four. LaCross clocked in a run and Wilcox had an RBI. 
 
In game two, Martin and Nicolas Verdugo went one for three. Wilcox and Mitchell went one for four with an RBI for both. 
 
Up Next
 
The Saints head to Lakeland, FL tomorrow (Mar. 9) to take on the Trinity Baptist Eagles. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.