Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—The Fire baseball bats exploded for seven home runs and eight doubles in an 18-5 and 12-1 win over Trinity Baptist to open up a weekend series.
The hitting started in the top of the first with a two-run home run by Willi Martin, then broke the game open with an eight-run second, highlighted by Martin's 10th homer of the season, a three-run shot. Aaron Sheaks recorded his first career homer in the inning as well.
Southeastern went on to add a run in each inning, then two in the sixth, and three in the top of the seventh.
Clay Rideout improved to 6-1 on the season, scattering eight hits and five runs. He struck out one and walked three.
The Fire picked up where they started in game two, getting a two-run homer from Cody Hoffner as a part of a three run first inning. They added four more in the second, starting with Stetson McCollin's first career home run, and a second two-run homer by Hoffner.
In the sixth, the Fire picked up two more on a two-run homer by Jose Povea to give the Fire a 10-1 lead. Three more runs scored in the seventh to complete the game.
Patrick Kinney improved to 6-3 on the season, working five innings of five-hit ball, allowing a single unearned run. The senior struck out eight and walked two on 77 pitches. Cole Yoder and Manny Matos each worked a hitless inning in relief.
McCollin finished the day 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Hoffner was 5-for-8 with two homers and a double with four RBIs, and Martin was 5-for-8 with two doubles and two home runs.
The series finale will be played Saturday at noon.
