LAKELAND, FLA.-- A two-game tuneup is all the Fire needed to warm up their bats for a crucial three-game series against Sun Conference opponent Ave Maria.
Southeastern handed the IU South Bend Titans losses of 19-0 and 17-1. The Fire piled up 35 hits in the two blowouts. Â
The Fire now stand at 19-14 overall on the year, but are in the middle of the Sun Conference standings with a 3-6 conference record. They can improve their fortunes with a solid showing over the visiting Ave Maria University Gyrenes.
The Gyrenes stand at 14-20 after splitting a two-game series with Sun Conference member Florida Memorial. They are 2-6 in conference play now. Ryan Keegan leads the offensive charge for the Gyrenes with a .322 batting average, eight doubles, and two home runs.
Austin Munn is the ace of the Ave Maria pitching staff; the redshirt junior is 2-2 this year with a 1.91 ERA over 42.1 innings pitched. The righty leads the pitching staff with 38 strikeouts as well.
Munn and the rest of the Gyrene pitching staff will have their hands full with the Southeastern lineup. The Fire rank third in the NAIA in doubles, fourth in total hits, fourth in runs scored, and sixth in total stolen bases.Â
Chris Mattison is enjoying a stellar season so far, as the first baseman/catcher is batting .454 and has nine home runs. Him and
Mike D'Acunti have been a buzzsaw in the middle of the Fire order; like Mattison, D'Acunti has nine home runs and leads the team with 37 RBI's. Seven of the nine starters are batting above .300.
The first game is set for Thursday night at 6 p.m. and the final two games are set for Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
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