LAKE WALES, Fla. – The No. 7 Southeastern University baseball team split a doubleheader this afternoon with the Warner University Royals. The Fire earned the win in game one 3-2 before dropping game two by an 8-3 decision. The loss was the first for SEU in Sun Conference play this season.
The Fire struck first in game one on the RBI single from senior
Mike D'Acunti that scored Ceballos.
The Royals took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, as a throwing error followed by a fielder's choice allowed Warner to score two and take the 2-1 lead.
Redshirt sophomore
Derek Martin provided the fireworks for SEU in the top of the sixth. Martin drove in
Alex Stephens on the RBI triple and then crossed home during the next at bat on a passed ball. The triple was his first of the season.
Senior righty
Jamal Wilson continued his recent string of dominance on the mound. The Tampa native hurled five innings, striking out seven, and earning his fifth win on the season. Wilson is now 5-0 with a 3.90 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 2017.
Senior
John Jaeger was dynamic in relief, throwing three and two thirds of scoreless frames, fanning four, and earning his fourth save on the season.
Southeastern found itself in a hole early during game two of the doubleheader. The Royals brought across four runs on four hits and two errors in the bottom of the first to take a 4-0 lead. Warner held a 7-1 advantage at the end of four innings.
The Fire gave an answer in the top of the fifth, with an RBI double from D'Acunti followed by an RBI single by Martin to trim the deficit to 7-3.
However, the Royals brought across another in the bottom of the fifth to grow their lead to 8-3.
SEU struggled to knock in base runners from the plate, as the Fire stranded 18 men on the base paths in game two.
With the win in game one to go along with Friday afternoon's victory, Southeastern took the weekend series 2-1.
The Fire will make their highly anticipated 2017 debut at the newly renovated Ted A. Broer Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. SEU will host Edward Waters College for a doubleheader. Game times are set for 2:00 and 4:30 p.m.
