A strong defensive performance, a seven-inning performance from
Robb Adams, a two pitch save from
Reece Wissinger, and a two run bomb from
David Castillo were the catalysts in today's contest versus fourth seeded St. Thomas. The Fire delivered when they needed to, granting themselves another day in the winner's bracket of the Sun Conference Tournament with a 5-2 win.
The game started slowly for the Fire with nothing going for them but one hit in the first two innings that came from
Alfonso Villalobos on a ground rule double.
St. Thomas struck first on an RBI single in the bottom of the first, to which the Fire responded with a run of their own in the top of third as
Tommy Davis crossed home plate thanks to a sac fly from Castillo. Davis turned in a quality performance going 1-for-2, and scoring two runs, and stole three bases.
Southeastern plated the go-ahead run in the following inning thanks to a ground rule double from
Josh Pigozzo that drove Villalobos home.
After that, it became a pitchers duel. Fire starting pitcher
Robb Adams went 6.2 innings, only allowing one earned run, and added five more strikeouts to his season total. Carlos Polanco of St. Thomas threw 112 pitches over six innings and struck out three, and allowed two earned runs.
Both teams garnered a few hits in a scoring drought, but the pitching was strong as well as the defense. It was the seventh inning when the Fire broke it open. Davis started the inning, reaching first after being hit by a pitch, placing himself on second with a stolen base. Castillo broke the scoring open by crushing a hanging curveball well into the left field stands, pushing the Fire lead to 4-1. Castillo finished the day 2-for-4, three RBIs, and one run scored.
The next three batters after Castillo walked in the top of the seventh, loading the bases. Pinch hitter
Chayce Bryant granted
Isaac Nunez passage to home plate on a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 5-1.
Relief pitchers finished the game for the Fire, even though the Bobcats added an extra run in the bottom of the seventh.
Jaren Warwick,
Nick Gottilla, and
Reece Wissinger polished off the last 2.1 innings. Wissinger picked up the save on two pitches, and Adams was granted the win on 94 pitches.
With the win the Fire remain in the winners bracket, and they await the victor of #2 Webber and #4 Keiser. Southeastern will play the winner at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
