LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Fire finished a perfect start to Sun Conference play today.
Maria Zelenka fired a one-hitter opening the afternoon as Southeastern University took both games from Warner University, 6-0 and 9-3, and completed the weekend three-game sweep.
Erica Ramsey and Hailey Bradley sliced run-scoring singles in the visiting fourth for all the runs Zelenka would need. The Fire pitcher allowed only a two-out walk in the second and took a no-hitter into the seventh where Warner's lead-off hitter broke it up with a single. For the game, Zelenka fanned nine in the complete game appearance.
In the second contest, Leah Gonzalez cracked a two-run double in the top of the first and a bases-loaded walk as the final run of a four-run fourth for a 6-0 Fire lead. The two teams scored three runs apiece in the final 3.5 frames.
With the pair of wins, SEU (21-3) has now swept eight doubleheaders on the season. The two Fire victories also completed the three-game sweep of the Royals (8-12/1-5 SUN) and 3-0 league start.
Along with Zelenka's complete-game one-hitter, Edan Playa picked up the other win with the final 3.2 innings where she did give up a hit and struck out three. Emma Vickers covered the first 3.1 frames of the second contest.
Ramsey paced the Fire offense with a 6-for-8 day, including 4-for-4 in the opener, with a double in each affair, one run, four RBI, and a pair of stolen bases.
Gonzalez and Chapel Cunningham both produced two-hit efforts in both games. Gonzalez went 4-for-6 with two doubles, two singles, two runs, and four RBI. Cunningham was 4-for-8 with two runs.
Ella Brooks added three singles, two runs, one RBI, and a stolen base. Lauren Sekinger touched home three times with a run-scoring double, while Katie Short finished 2-for-2 in the late contest with a run, RBI, and a stolen base.
Raylei McKinney singled in each game and scored twice, while Hailey Bradley singled home a run in the first game.
The Fire return to action Friday when they host College of Coastal Georgia in a 2 and 4 p.m. doubleheader in Lakeland.
