CLEARWATER, Fla.- Eight different Southeastern (32-14, 19-5 SUN) hitters recorded a hit in the Fire's commanding 12-1 run-rule victory over St. Thomas in game one of the Sun Conference Tournament.
The offense concluded the five-inning contest with 15 hits, largely led by a monster 4-4 day by
Chapel Cunningham who also recorded three runs, two RBI's and three stolen bases.
Regarding her perfect day, Cunningham stated, "As a team our game plan coming into the tournament was to score a lot of runs so as a leadoff hitter I knew my job was just to get on base and set my team up for success."
Erica Stahl also had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-3 with two runs, two stolen bases, and an RBI while
Leah Gonzalez posted three RBI's in a 2-3 effort.
Haleigh Harrell also had a 2-3 day with two runs and an RBI.
Autumn Hunter held the Bobcats to just one run on one hit through five innings to move to 13-6 on the season. Hunter stated, "I knew the defense would have my back and I just had to throw some strikes and that they would be behind me."
The Fire scoring started early with four runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth including a two-run triple by Gonzalez, Harrell one-run double, and
Danielle Wasserstrom single to give the Fire a four-run lead.
The lone Bobcat run came in the top of the third after a leadoff walk came around to score on an RBI single into center field.
Southeastern added one more in the bottom of the second after Cunningham singled to lead off the inning and scored on a well-executed first-and-third play, stealing home on the baited throw by Stahl.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Fire busted it open even more with seven more runs off six more hits and an error. Cunningham again singled to open the inning, stole second, and scored on a
Jamie Mead single for a 6-1 lead. Stahl added another one batter later after a triple into the right field corner that scored Mead. Gonzalez followed with an RBI single to move the lead to 8-1. Freshman
Mallory Watts then came through in a pinch-hit situation, doubling down the right field line to score two more. Cunningham then tallied her second hit of the inning in the form of a two-run single up the middle for a 12-1 lead.
Hunter then closed the door in the top of the fifth with a foul out, ground out, and line out.
The second-seeded Fire will take on the top-seeded Mariners of Coastal Georgia tomorrow at 2 p.m.
Head coach
Kayla Watkins stated, "It just shows us what we're capable of and what we plan to do the next two days. Great offensive production, our outfielders were incredible, defense was lights out, and our girls are just pumped. We're super excited for the next couple days."
