Box Score TAMPA, Fla.—The Fire were that close to a dramatic win over the #8 team in NCAA Division II baseball.
After taking the lead in the top of the ninth, the Fire lost 8-7 to the Spartans of Tampa to fall to 30-15 on the season.
Trailing 6-4 in the top of the ninth with two outs and two on, senior T.J. Glessner sent a 1-2 pitch over the right field wall to give the Fire (30-15) a 7-6 lead.
The Spartans answered in the bottom of the ninth with an RBI single by Nick Flair to tie the game with one out, then, won the game on a dropped fly ball in right field with the bases loaded.
Tampa jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run homer by Flair. The Fire were able to answer in the next half inning with a sacrifice fly by Luis Diaz to cut the deficit in half, then, took the lead on an RBI single by Glessner, and made it a 4-2 lead when Aaron Sheaks drew a bases-loaded walk.
The Spartans chipped away, picking up two runs in the fourth, then a run each in the fifth and sixth to take the 6-4 lead.
Southeastern sent seven pitchers to the mound, who combined for five strikeouts and five walks. Dylan Jameson suffered the loss, working an inning and a third, surrendering two runs on two hits.
The Fire return to action on Friday in a key conference series against USC Beaufort at 6 p.m.
