LAKELAND, Fla. – After a successful opening weekend in Sun Conference play, the No. 4 Southeastern University baseball team looks to conquer another conference foe. The Fire host the South Carolina Beaufort Sand Sharks for a three game weekend series. This will mark the first series played this season in Ted A. Broer Stadium, which recently underwent minor renovations.
GAMES: No. 4 Southeastern University (11-0, 3-0 TSC) vs. USCB (2-3, 0-1 TSC)
Friday 6:30 p.m. | Saturday 12:00/3:00 p.m.
COVERAGE: Live Stats/Video
MESA MOVES: Junior outfielder
Manuel Mesa has been active out of the leadoff spot for the Fire thus far. Mesa recorded multi-hit games in all five contests last week. The Bronx native hit a monstrous .833 (5-6) with runners in scoring position on the week with three runs batted in. He also was aggressive on the basepaths, swiping a trio of bags. Plate discipline has been a key to his success, as Mesa has only struck out twice in 38 at bats this season.
FIRE ARMS: The Southeastern pitching staff is establishing itself as formidable group in the NAIA. Fire arms rank 10
th in opponent batting average (.197), 14
th in total batters struck out (87), and 15
th in team earned run average (2.56). Junior southpaw
Jonathan Bermudez compiled a stellar performance last weekend versus the Warriors. After surrendering a run on two hits in the top of the first, Bermudez responded with six shutout innings of one hit baseball, striking out nine during the stretch. The Polk State transfer retired the last nine batters he faced and eventually earned the winning decision to improve to 2-0.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Fire hold the slight edge over the Sand Sharks 16-15 in the all-time series. SEU has won four of the last five regular season series over USCB.
THE SAND SHARKS: After having two of its three TSC opening games versus Keiser postponed due to inclement weather, South Carolina Beaufort looks to complete its first full slate of conference action. USCB dropped the lone game played to Keiser 12-4. Senior outfielder Alex Murphy has been steady at the plate in the early goings for the Sand Sharks. Murphy leads the team in RBI with six, has homered once, and has only been fanned one time in 16 at bats. The USCB arms have struggled thus far, posting a staff ERA of 6.23, opponent batting average of .296, and 15 extra base hits surrendered through their first five contests.
Be sure to follow @SEUFireBaseball on Twitter for all of the latest updates.
