LAKELAND, Fla.- After a long opening stretch that saw six games in only three days, the Southeastern University softball team will head into a calmer week with only one series against Truett McConnell at home on Thursday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The Fire opened their 2022 season on Thursday with a sweep of Mount Mercy, shutting out the Mustangs in both games. Bryan College was the next challenge for the Fire as they split on Friday after dropping the first contest by a score of 2-1 and bouncing back with a 5-2 win. Saturday saw one of the toughest challenges on the schedule this year for the Fire in the No. 15 ranked Freed-Hardeman Lions as the Fire dropped both contests to end the weekend 3-3.
The Bears of Truett McConnell opened their new season 0-4 after dropping series to the College of Coastal Georgia and Middle Georgia State. Through the first four contests, the Bears have posted a batting average of .207 and an on base percentage of .288. Senior Alicia Price has registered a team high average of .600 after going 3-5 through three games while freshman Rachel Morgan is responsible for the lone home run from the Bears. The Bears ended last season with a record of 32-16, advancing all the way to the NAIA Opening Round where they went 1-3 to conclude their season. Junior Mattie Brooks returns for the 2022 season after leading the team in batting average last season with a .417 including 11 doubles, three triples, and two home runs. The Bears also return their ace arm in Karley Hobbs who recorded a team high 170.1 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.05.
Through the first weekend, the Fire hold a team batting average of .236 behind 34 hits and six doubles. Junior outfielder
Erica Stahl led the way offensively for the Fire on opening weekend with an average of .412 after going 7-17 with a double and two home runs.
Payton Thomas has had a solid opening to the new season after posting a 2-1 record behind a 2.76 ERA and seven strikeouts through 12 innings.
Thursday's doubleheader will be the first ever matchup against these two programs.
To purchase tickets to Thursday's home series, go to https://southeastern.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx?cid=179.
