LAKELAND, Fla. – The Fire found a way again on Friday. Alfonso Villalobos laced a 3-run double in the opener and added a 2-run double late to help Southeastern University sweep a doubleheaded, 6-3 and 3-1, over the University of Saint Francis on Friday night.
Trailing 3-2 in the eighth, Villalobos stepped into the batter's box and slammed a bases-clearing 3-run double down the left field line, before he scored two batters later on a Jacob Gumieny single to center. Cole Jones took the mound and struck out the first two Cougar hitters of the three he faced in the top of the ninth to end the game.
In game two, SEU turned to the same key hitter as Villalobos turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead on a clutch two-run double. After starter Chase Muir gave up just a run, Bryce McDonald pitched five shutout innings to pick up the win before Jones came in a shut down the Cougars for the save.
SEU improved its mark to 11-0 on the year and recorded its seventh time in those contests of giving up one or fewer runs.
In only four official at-bats on the night, Villalobos went 2-for-4 with the two doubles, one run, and six RBI.
Jon Paul Pennella lined a trio of singles with a run and a stolen base. Both Gumieny and Connor Hicks singled twice, one in each contest.
Charlie Collins doubled, scored once and swiped a base in the opener, while Peter Tassler scored twice and had a hit. John Rossi completed the Fire hits with a single, scored once and stole a base.
Aaron Robertson posted a quality Game 1 start with 5.1 innings of work where he allowed three earned runs on eight hits with a pair of walks and 10 strikeouts. Austin Peddycoart, Andrew Hansen and Alex Johnson kept St. Francis off the scoreboard in the middle 2.2 frames before Jones came in for the save with two strikeouts of a scoreless ninth. Johnson picked up the win.
SEU and St. Francis complete their 3-game series today at noon.
