MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University baseball team lost the first contest of a three-game series to the Bobcats of Saint Thomas University on Friday evening, falling 13-0 in seven innings on the road in Miami Gardens. St. Thomas scored in each of their six appearances at the plate, and outhit the Gyrenes 17-3.

St. Thomas scored two runs in the first inning, one in each the second and the third, and three in each of the last three innings. Jackie Urbaez led the offensive effort for the Bobcats, going 4-for-5 with five runs batted in. Urbaez drove in his runs with an RBI double in the second, a single in the fourth, a two-run double in the fifth, and a single in the sixth.

Sergio Lopez drove in two runs for the Bobcats, and was one of five players to record two or more hits. As a team, St. Thomas recorded six extra-base hits with five doubles and an Erick Delgado triple.

On the mound, Orlando Rodriguez earned the win with six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and seven walks. Danger Guevara tossed the final innings for the hosts, facing just one more than the minimum with a strikeout.

Two of Ave Maria's three hits were provided by Tully Allen, who hit a double and a triple, as well as drawing a walk. Ryan Keegan had a single to account for the other hit, while Matt Wiles, Luis Dominguez, and Justin Hartshorne each reached base twice on a pair of walks.

Eduardo Rodriguez was a bright spot on the mound for Ave Maria, retiring two of the three hitters he faced in the sixth inning.

The Sun Conference series between the Gyrenes and the Bobcats continues on Saturday with a doubleheader. The first pitch of the opener is scheduled for noon, with a second nine-inning game to follow.