Comeback Run-Rule Earns Softball SUN Series Opener Win

LAKELAND, Fla.- Trailing by a run in the sixth inning, Southeastern softball mounted nine runs on just one out to complete a come-from-behind, run-rule victory over Florida Memorial University in game one of the Sun Conference series.
 
The Fire continued their tradition of scoring first after Jamie Mead drew a walk, stole second, and scored on an Erica Stahl triple into the right field corner. Haleigh Harrell then followed with an RBI double into right center, giving the Fire the 2-0 lead and claiming the program's career hits record with her 241^st hit.
 
The Lions responded with a two spot of their own in the top of the second after a single and hit by pitch opened the door for a two-run double.
 
Southeastern then found themselves down two after the Lions brought across two more in the top of the third. The third Lions' run came after a leadoff walk and back-to-back singles after a squeeze bunt made the score 4-2.
 
Leah Gonzalez brought the Fire back within one in the bottom half of the frame after Mead singled, stole her second base of the contest and scored on a Gonzalez single.
 
After replacing the Fire starter to begin the fifth, Kenzie Forrester stranded four on base over two frames to keep the Fire within striking distance.
 
Nine runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the sixth concluded the run-rule victory.
 
Gonzalez started the rally with a leadoff double and was replaced by pinch runner Keira Jones who advanced to third on a wild pitch. Harrell's first successful squeeze bunt of the inning brought home Jones to tie the contest.
 
A fielder's choice and Danielle Wasserstrom bunt single loaded the bases as Madi McDaniel drew an RBI hit-by-pitch to take the first lead since the second inning.
 
Back-to-back bases loaded walks to Lauren Sekinger and Chapel Cunningham brought the score to 7-4 before a two-run single by Mead moved it to a five-run Fire lead. Cunningham then scored on a wild pitch on the next batter.

Jones picked up her first RBI of her collegiate career after scoring Mead on an RBI groundout.
 
Harrell's second squeeze of the inning called ballgame as Stahl crossed for the 12-4 final.
 
Mead finished the contest going 2-3 with three runs scored and two RBI's while Gonzalez also tallied two hits with an RBI. Harrell ended the contest with three RBI's.
 
Forrester earned the win after going two innings and giving up two hits and no earned runs.
 
Tomorrow will see games two and three of the SUN series at 1 and 3 p.m. with Senior Day taking place prior to game one.