STERLINGTON, La.—Southeastern went 2-0 during its first day of play at the Cajun Collision, scoring a run in the ninth to knock off Baker 6-5 and a dominant pitching performance in a 5-1 win over No. 23 Loyola on Friday.
Against Baker, the Fire scored five runs in the second, getting a sacrifice fly from
David Castillo and a bases-loaded walk to
Josh Pigozzo.
Isaac Nunez drove in two with a single to center, and a fielding error brought in another.
A solo homer in the bottom of the inning got the Wildcats on the board, then added two more with a single to left with the bases loaded. Another solo homer in the fifth made it a one-run game, then a passed ball in the seventh tied the game.
Pablo Lanzarote's pinch hit solo homer in the top of the ninth gave the Fire the win.
Reese Wissinger earned the win, working three innings and allowing one unearned run. He struck out four and walked one of the 12 batters he faced.
Robb Adams was dominant in the second game to help Southeastern win its third game against a Top 25 team this season. The reigning NAIA Pitcher of the Year punched out 12 of the 28 he faced, holding the Wolf Pack to one run on five hits over seven innings of work.
After Loyola picked up an RBI single to right in the top of the sixth, the Fire responded with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning. In the eighth, Lanzarote broke the tie with a solo homer. Chayse Bryant doubled in
Nicholas Block, and
Michael Haydak brought in Bryant and
Stephen Cullen with a single.
Bryant posted a 3-for-4 day at the plate in the second game.
Juan Pimentel recorded his first win of the season, working 1.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
The Fire will take on No. 14 Central Methodist and Louisiana Christian on Saturday.
