LAKELAND, Fla. – After concluding a 17 game non-conference stretch, the No. 3 Southeastern University baseball team sets its sights back on The Sun Conference. The Fire wrapped up the lengthy out of league slate with an 8-0 sweep last week of Concordia (Mich.), IUSB, and Saint Joseph (Vt.). SEU now welcomes the Warner University Royals to Ted A. Broer Stadium for a weekend series.
GAMES: No. 3 Southeastern (34-2, 9-0 TSC) vs. Warner (21-11, 4-5 TSC)
Friday 6:30 p.m. | Saturday 12:00/3:00 p.m.
COVERAGE: Live Video/Stats
VOLPATTI CAKE: Sophomore utility man
Vince Volpatti has asserted himself as a key contributor to the Southeastern lineup as of late. This past week, Volpatti hit a monstrous .889 with runners in scoring position (8-9) with nine runs batted in during those clutch hitting situations. As a whole, the Livermore, California native hit .571 with two home runs and 11 runs, only struck out once in 21 at bats, and was a perfect four-for-four on stolen bases during the eight game slate. On the season, Volpatti is averaging 12.42 extrapolated runs (runs produced based on offensive statistics) per 27 outs made, the second highest mark on the team behind
Nick Bottari (16.94). When leading off an inning at the plate, he is batting .692 (9-13).
FIRE STRIKES: The SEU pitching staff has continued to baffle opposing lineups. Fire arms are averaging 11.11 strikeouts per nine innings this season. Southeastern pitchers have had some issues with leadoff hitters, allowing the first batter faced each inning to hit a combined .310 at the plate this season. However, the staff has showed their ability to buckle down in high-pressure situations, allowing opposing bats to hit just .217 with runners on base. Junior left-handed pitcher
Jonathan Bermudez leads the way for the staff, averaging 15.77 punch outs per nine frames and tormenting right-handed bats to just a .135 (18-133) performance at the plate.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Fire lead the all-time series versus the Royals 20-15.
THE ROYALS: The Royals took two out of three at home this past weekend over USCB and are 7-3 over their last 10 games. Warner is averaging 7.7 runs per contest during that stretch. Senior infielder Jesse Haney has been the catalyst for the Royals at the plate in recent outings. Haney is currently riding a nine game hit streak with 12 runs batted in during the run. On the season, the Tampa native is batting a team best .348 with seven doubles and three home runs, which also lead the squad. On the mound, freshman lefty Jaryd Clary has been the most successful arm for Warner. In eight starts, Clary is 5-3 with a 3.76 ERA. However, Cleary has issued nine walks and allowed 17 runs to score over his last three starts.
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