Box Score FORT MYERS, Fla.—A two-out grand slam by junior outfielder Josiel Colon gave the Southeastern baseball team a 4-1 lead over St. Thomas in the top of the fifth inning.
However, St. Thomas bounced back with five runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning to secure a 7-5 win, and advance to The Sun Conference championship game. The loss eliminated the Fire after going 2-2 in the tournament.
The Bobcats (41-14) got the first run of the game in the bottom of the first on a two-out single to left field by Paul Chacin.
Southeastern (38-19) struggled offensively at the start, picking up just two hits in the first four innings of the contest. Senior Willi Martin hit a two out double to left in the first and Cody Hoffner doubled to left in the second.
That was all until Setson McCollin led off the fifth with a single to right centerfield. This, just moments after making a key defensive play at second base to cut down a runner at the plate. T.J. Glessner and Aaron Sheaks drew walks to load the bases for Colon after Martin popped out. Colon drove a pitch over the left field barrier to give the Fire a three-run lead.
St. Thomas answered back with an RBI single, RBI fielder's choice, a run on an error, and a two-run home run to take a 6-4 lead.
After that, the Fire bats were stymied again, held to three hits in the final four innings, including a solo home run by Colon with two outs in the ninth.
F.T. Corso suffered the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in the fifth. Jordan Gard started the game, working 4.1 innings, giving up four runs on two hits. Dylan Jameson worked three solid innings in relief, allowing just one hit. The junior walked two and struck out four.
Martin, along with pitcher Patrick Kinney were named to the All-Tournament Team. Martin hit .474 with a 1.263 slugging percentage in four games. The Tampa native broke the tournament record for home runs, home runs in a single game, and total bases. Kinney secured a win over Thomas, throwing eight innings, allowing one run on five hits.
The Fire will learn their postseason fate on Friday when the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round pairings are released.
