LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Fire started with a gem, but saw its rally fall short in game two. Aaron Robertson threw a 4-hitter and led Southeastern University to an opening game 9-1 win, but Warner University held on for the 7-5 late game and Friday split.
Robertson gave up a pair of first-inning singles and one each in the fifth and sixth for the only Warner offense against him. The Fire hitters broke open the contest with a 5-run fifth compliments of Nick Streuer grand slam home run.
In the late contest, SEU trailed 5-1, but it pulled within a score on a Connor Hicks 3-run round-tripper in the top of the seventh. The Royals answered with two scores in the home seventh and the Fire was only able to plate a single score in the eighth for the two-run defeat.
Despite the late loss, SEU is now 23-2 in the 2025 campaign and 2-1 in Sun Conference action. Warner went to 11-14 and 2-4 in the league. The Royals victory snapped the Fire's 15-game win streak in the series.
SEU's game one shutout was its fifth of the year and second over Warner this season.
Robertson (5-0) posted his second complete game of the year as he went the full seven frames. He fanned six and lowered his ERA to 0.97. Bryce McDonald had a solid outing as he gave up 10 hits and three earned runs with five strikeouts over the full eight innings of the second contest.
Hitting from the nine hole, John Rossi was near perfect at the plate with five singles in six at bats, including 3 for 3 in the first game, with two runs and an RBI. Jon Paul Pennella went 2 for 4 in each game with a pair of runs, one RBI and a stolen base.
Both Charlie Collins and Hicks accounted for three hits apiece. Collins singled three times and scored twice, while Hicks belted the 3-run home in the second game, singled two times and drove in four. Peter Tassler singled in each game with two runs and an RBI.
SEU and Warner complete the four-game series tomorrow with a single game starting at 2 p.m.
