AVE MARIA, Fla. – The No. 11 Southeastern University softball team split its first day of doubleheader action versus the RV Ave Maria University Gyrenes. The Fire earned a gritty win in game one 3-2 before dropping the second game 1-0.
Despite only registering one hit and one walk in 26 at bats, the Fire were able to produce three runs in game one. This was due largely in part to five fielding errors by the Gyrenes.
A single by junior catcher
Brandee Pietrzak in the top of the sixth was the lone base hit of the game for the Fire.
The work of senior southpaw
Lindsie Scholwinski on the mound kept Southeastern in contention throughout the contest. Scholwinski punched out six Ave Maria batters in six and one third innings tossed. The most pivotal strikeout of those six came in the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded to preserve the 3-2 lead.
Freshman pitcher
Stef Guercio came in the bottom of the seventh with the tying run on base and closed things out for the Fire, earning her third save of the season.
Game one marked just the second time in program history SEU has won a game without a hitter recording an RBI. The last time was on 3/30/14 in a 3-0 win over ironically enough, Ave Maria.
Southeastern was shutout for just the second time this season in the second game of the doubleheader. The struggles at the plate continued for the Fire, as they hit a combined .167 (4-24) at the plate.
An RBI double by the Gyrenes in the top of the first proved to be all the production Ave Maria needed.
Guercio posted her third consecutive start with six or more innings pitched and five or more strikeouts, suffering the tough luck loss.
The Fire will face off against the Gyrenes in doubleheader action again tomorrow afternoon. Game times are set for 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
