Softball | 3/9/2021 8:00:00 AM
LAKELAND, Fla.—After going 5-1 a week ago, the Southeastern University softball team improved to 13-6 on the season. Up next for the Fire their TSC-opening doubleheader against Webber International scheduled for 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 10
th followed by a doubleheader against Calumet College of St. Joseph on Saturday, March 13
th starting at noon.
The Fire swept No. 7 University of Mobile before the Gulf Coast Invite last week. SEU scored three runs in the seventh to help them overcome a five-run deficit against the Rams in the second game.
Southeastern continued their flare for the dramatic against No. 6 Columbia College when infielder
Sam Holcomb broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning to push the Fire to the 3-2 victory. SEU would go on to win two more games at the Gulf Coast Invite by scores of 3-2.
SEU remains one of the top defensive teams in the country as they rank second with 165 assists and are fourth with 390 total putouts. The Fire are also dangerous on the base paths with a fifth-best 39 stolen bases on the season.
Madison Williams and
Katie Atkins have given opposing pitchers trouble all season as they have combined for 11 doubles, nine home runs, and 41 RBIs.
The Fire have done well in the circle with
Autumn Hunter,
Megan Froehlich, and
Payton Thomas all maintaining ERA's below 3.00. Hunter leads the group with 66.2 innings pitched, while Thomas has a team-high 32 strikeouts.
Webber International enters this week with a 12-10 record and have dropped four of their last six contests. The Warriors top the NAIA in total putouts with 453 and sit at 12
th in hits with 147. Mary-Margaret Maggard is a threat at the plate with a team-high .403 batting average and 18 RBIs. Emma Maitland is the top arm for Webber as she has struck out 40 batters in 48.1 innings pitched. The all-time series is currently tied at ten between the conference foes.
Calumet College of St. Joseph is still looking for their first win as they have gotten off to an 0-6 start. Opponents are hitting .345 with a slugging percentage of .486 against the Crimson Wave. They return their top hitter from a year ago in Kayla Kirmani who hit .422 in 20 games last season. The Fire have the edge in the all-time series at 10-4.
