LAKELAND, Fla. – After dropping its first contests of the season in a Saturday doubleheader sweep by Judson, the No. 3 Southeastern University baseball team responded with a 5-0 clean slate last week. The Fire outscored opponents 48-13, hit .344 at the plate, and launched 11 home runs. SEU looks to close out the lengthy stretch of non-conference play with an eight game set at Ted A. Broer Stadium.
GAMES: No. 3 Southeastern (26-2) vs. RV Concordia (17-3) Monday 4:00/6:00 p.m.
No. 3 Southeastern (26-2) vs. Indiana University South Bend (4-11) Tuesday 4:00/6:00 p.m.
No. 3 Southeastern (26-2) vs. Saint Joseph (Vt.) (4-9) Friday 4:00/7:00 p.m. Saturday 12:00/3:00 p.m.
COVERAGE: Watch/Live Stats
FIRE BATS: SEU sits second in the NAIA in total runs scored (230), stolen bases (76), home runs per game (1.571), and total hits (291). Junior utility man
Dan Valerio leads the country in runs batted in (36). Junior outfielder
Marvin Malone and junior first baseman
Nick Bottari are tied for third in the NAIA in home runs with eight. Bottari also ranks second in the NAIA in total hits (44). The Wading River, N.Y. native had a torrid week at the plate last week, hitting .563 with 10 runs batted in and four long balls. Bottari was .444 with runners in scoring position and is currently riding an 11 game hit streak.
FIRE ARMS: The Fire rank first in the NAIA in total batters struck out (267). Over their last five contests, the Southeastern pitching staff is averaging a strikeout every 2.4 opposing plate appearances. Junior southpaw
Jonathan Bermudez earned his second consecutive Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week honors, after striking out 14 in seven shutout innings versus Saint Xavier. In his last two starts, the Polk State transfer is averaging 2.1 strikeouts per inning and opponents are hitting just .135 at the plate versus the lefty.
THE CARDINALS: Concordia enters this afternoon's doubleheader having only dropped one contest in the spring portion of its schedule. The Cardinals boast the number four pitching staff ERA in the NAIA (2.51). Junior C/OF Blaine Milheim is the top bat for the Cardinals, hitting a team best .412 with seven doubles and 17 runs batted in.
THE TITANS: IUSB is 3-1 since arriving in The Sunshine State for its participation in the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational. Junior outfielder Spencer McCool is hitting .500 (8-16) in the four Russ Matt contests. McCool leads the team in runs scored, crossing the plate 11 times this season. Sophomore southpaw Andy Ross holds a 3.32 ERA in four no-decision starts, with eight season punch outs.
THE FIGHTING SAINTS: CSJ is in its first season as an NAIA program, after formally being affiliated with the USCAA, where the Fighting Saints were Division II National Champions in 2016. This season, Saint Joseph has lost eight straight, as they kick off a 16 game slate in Florida on Friday. Sophomore outfielder John Loschiavo leads the Fighting Saints in runs batted in (9) and on base percentage (.447), having drawn a team high 10 base on balls this season.
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