Box Score CLERMONT, Fla. – The Fire bowed out of The Sun Conference tourney today, falling to the Sand Sharks of USC Beaufort 8-0 in six innings.
A 2-0 deficit after one seemed manageable, but a five-run fourth inning made it seven and the Fire were unable to fuel a comeback.
A two out RBI single in the bottom of the sixth crossed the Sand Sharks eighth run and sent the Fire packing after entering the tourney as the No. 1 seed.
The Fire had their chances leaving two on base in the bottom of the third and five runners total on the day.
The Sand Sharks outhit the Fire nine to one and committed just one uncostly error to the Fire's two. Southeastern's lone hit belonged to Cat Maldonado in the top of the first. With two outs, she singled to second before a fly out to left ended the inning.
Susan Hinks suffered the loss tossing the first four innings. She gave up five hits, including a two run homer in the fourth, seven runs, two walks, and struck out one.
The Fire will await their postseason fate when the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round pairings are announced next weekend.
