MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Barry University’s baseball team defeated St. Thomas University Tuesday night, 9-6, in a non-conference matchup between the cross-town opponents.
Luis Rios-Reyes got the Bucs (18-11) on the board with a sacrifice fly to deep right in the top of the second inning. Michael Diaz followed with a three-run blast to right, his first of the season, to cap a four-run rally for the Buccaneers.
Barry added another run in the top of the third inning when Adrian English worked a bases loaded walk and advanced to second on Ramon Valdez’s single to center. Then, with two outs, Greg Brodzinski came through with a clutch two-out RBI single through the left side to increase the Bucs’ lead to 5-0.
In the fifth, the Buccaneers added three more runs. Sheehan Planas-Arteaga led off the frame with a double. Shortly after, Arteaga came around to score on Valdez’s double down the right field line and Tyler Kellmann connected on his first homer of the season, a two-run shot, to complete the three run rally.
Buccaneers’ starter Nate Greve retired seven consecutive hitters before giving up a one-out walk to Elim Perritte in the bottom of the fifth. Greve struck out the next batter, but then gave up back-to-back singles and then hit two consecutive batters to make it an 8-2 game. Then with one swing of the bat, Jerry Downs cut the deficit to 8-6 with a grand-slam homer to right center.
Greve allowed just one hit through the first four innings, but was unable to make it out of the fifth. The left-hander tossed 4.2 innings, allowed six runs on four hits and struck out four, but did not figure into thet decision.
St. Thomas (22-12) threatened in the bottom of the sixth after the Bobcats loaded the bases with two outs. Coach Marc Pavao called upon Jesse Montalto who was able to get Oscar Agurille to fly out for the final out of the inning.
Barry loaded the bases in the seventh and took advantage of a passed ball to push across another run.
Valdez paced the Bucs offense with a 3-for-3 night, while Diaz and Brodzinski each finished with multi-hit games.
Starter Andres Hernandez tossed 2.2 innings and allowed five earned runs, taking the loss for the Bobcats who used six pitchers on the night.
Montalto and Blaine Duncan (3-0) combined for 2.1 scoreless innings of work in relief of Greve. Duncan picked up the win for the Buccaneers.
Tyler Petsch earned his first save of the season in two innings of work.
Barry returns to action on Friday when they play host to Rollins in a clash of Sunshine State Conference foes. Live-stats and video broadcast will be available through Barry University’s athletics website, GOBARRYBUCS.COM.