LAKELAND, Fla.- Five games lie ahead this week for the 19-10 (1-2 SUN) Fire softball team, which is coming off their first conference series of the season, picking up their first conference win in the final game against the St. Thomas Bobcats. This week, they will play two at home today versus the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees, then they will hit the road to Miami Gardens to take on their second conference opponent this season.
The Fire are hitting .332 as a whole coming into this week, led by SEU veteran
Chapel Cunningham, hitting .451 in over 100 at bats after a perfect 10-for-10 weekend against the Bobcats.
Ella Brooks is the only other member of the Fire hitting .400 or better, with an even .400 average. On the bases, the Fire have a 95% success rate on stolen bases, stealing 98 bags out of their 103 attempts, which ranks third in the NAIA. Freshman
Edan Playa leads the pitchers, boasting a 7-2 record and a 1.31 ERA through almost 60 innings.
The St. Ambrose Fighting Bees travel to Lakeland today with an 11-11 record, with a team .257 average at the plate, holding an earned run average in the circle of 3.41. Shai Erdrich is the top hitting statistically in the Fighting Bees lineup, hitting .388 through 67 at bats. Defensively, Leah Maro leads the charge, leading her team in innings pitched, holding a 1.98 ERA and a 4-2 record.
After the Monday doubleheader, Southeastern will have a few days to recover before heading into Lion country, to face Florida Memorial on Friday and Saturday. The Lions will play a doubleheader Tuesday before seeing the Fire, but currently hold a 16-7 (2-1 SUN) record, coming off a conference series win versus the Warner Royals. Their batting average falls just behind the Fire, hitting .329 at the plate, and a 3.79 ERA in the circle. Only six games have ever been played between the Fire and Lions, with the Fire winning all six, including two shutouts.
First pitch against St. Ambrose today is set for 2 P.M., and 3 P.M. Friday versus the Lions.
