MARINETTE, Wis. — Florence won its season opener 14-8 over St. Thomas Aquinas Academy on Tuesday.

The Bobcats (1-0) survived control issues on the mound, giving up the runs on seven walks and just one hit.

“I hate walks with a passion,” Florence head coach Dave LaPoint said. “I’d rather they throw it up like a slow-pitch softball and let them hit it instead of walking. It’s a learning lesson. We’ll go from there.”

Braden Boettcher started on the mound for Florence and was relieved by Kaden Schuls and Toby Wheeler. They combined for six strikeouts.

Boettcher, Paul Millan and Cody Reubens had two RBIs apiece to help the offense. The Bobcats had a seven-run fourth to take control in its first action outside the gym.

The Bobcats had “a couple errors” on defense, LaPoint said.

“They weren’t serious,” LaPoint said of the errors. “For the first time out I was pretty happy. I was happy with our hitting and I was happy with our defense. I was not happy with giving up so many walks. We have to improve on that.”

The game was cut short in the sixth because STAA ran out of pitchers.

Florence is scheduled to host Crandon in the Northern Lakes Conference opener on Thursday, but a potential snow storm could thwart it.

Florence 221 702

STAA 003 500