Box Score LAKELAND, Fla.- Fire baseball improved to 4-0 with a 9-2 win over Mt. Mercy to complete a series sweep over the Mustangs.
A run in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Cody Hoffner got the Fire going, and they added a run in the second on a solo home run by Luis Diaz to take a 2-0 lead.
The hosts broke the game open with a five-spot in the third, sending 10 to the plate, recording three hits, and benefiting from two errors. Stetson McCollin started the inning with a double, and scored on a passed ball. A double to right center by Willi Martin scored T.J. Glessner and Hoffner to make it 5-0 Fire. Martin came around to score on an RBI single by Diaz. A sacrifice fly by Hunter Simpson capped the scoring for the inning.
Patrick Kinney was locked in, scattering two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings of work. Kinney struck out six batters on 72 total pitches.
The Fire added an additional two runs in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Jose Povea, and a bases-loaded walk to Dallas Ducote.
Mike Ruppenthal closed the ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts.
The Fire return to action on Monday when they travel to Florida Tech.
