JACKSONVILLE, Fla – The No. 11 Southeastern University baseball team swept an afternoon doubleheader on the road versus the Trinity Baptist College Eagles. The Fire held off an Eagles rally in game one 8-6 before turning in a 7-3 victory in the second game.
With the win in game two, SEU eclipsed the 40 win mark for just the fourth time since joining the NAIA in 2009. This is the fastest a Fire team has reached the milestone in the NAIA era.
SEU jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after two innings of action in game one. Senior outfielder
Marcus Guzman hit a bases loaded RBI double that cleared the base paths in the top of the first. Guzman was a tough out for the Eagles, hitting .714 (5-7) at the plate with a walk and four runs scored on the day.
Senior catcher
Mike D'Acunti continued the fireworks in the top of the second with his 11
th home run of the season, a three run shot that cleared the right field fence.
After trailing 8-3 through five, the Eagles swooped across three runs in the bottom of the fifth on three hits and a pair of walks that cut the Fire lead to 8-6.
Oscar Sandoval pitched one and one third of one hit baseball to keep Trinity Baptist contained.
John Jaeger entered the game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, striking out the only batter he faced, to secure the win and his Sun Conference leading eighth save of the season.
Corey Stump improved to 3-0 on the season after hurling four innings on 60 pitches and striking out two.
In game two, the Fire found themselves trailing the Eagles. After a pair of scoreless frames tossed by starter
Josh Egert, Trinity Baptist scored two in the bottom of the third to take a 2-0 lead.
RBI singles by
Colby Wade and
Kainalu Pitoy fueled the Fire in a four run top of the fourth that put them up 4-2.
The bats of SEU gained confidence as the game continued, as 9 of the 12 Southeastern hits came in the fourth inning or later. The Fire added insurance runs in the top of the sixth and seventh to go up 7-2.
Sandoval entered the bottom of the seventh, looking to close things out. With two outs and a 7-3 lead, the lights on the field inadvertently shut off, sending the contest into momentary disarray and causing a near 20 minute delay.
As the lights powered back on, Sandoval powered down on the Eagles and recorded the final out to preserve the win.
Chris Colletti was the game two winner, pitching two innings of one hit ball and striking out three in relief to improve to 2-0 on the year.
The Fire prepare for a crucial weekend series, as they host the No. 15 Webber International University Warriors. Game one of the series is slated for Friday at 6:00 p.m.
