SARASOTA, Fla. – The Fire's tough ending of the day prevented the Saturday sweep. Southeastern University exploded on offense in a 20-5 win in the opener, but saw New College of Florida take the split, 7-6, with a three-run seventh to walk off game two.
In game one the Fire posted big innings in four of seven at bats, including three of them for 15 combined runs in the fifth through seventh. New College tied the contest, 5-5 with five runs in the home fourth. SEU, though, powered right back and never let up with a six-run fifth, five more in the sixth and wrapped the game with four in the seventh.
Leading 5-4 going to the seventh of the late game, Jacob Gumieny drew a one-out walk, moved to second when Tyler Hinrikus was hit by a pitch and eventually ran home on a wild pitch for a 6-4 edge. The Mighty Banyans, though, cut the game back to a one-run difference on a sac fly in the seventh before they lined a single before back-to-back walks tied the game. New College captured the win on a bases-loaded hit by a pitch for the 7-6 final.
With the split, SEU (27-5) falls to 6-4 in the Sun Conference. The Mighty Banyans (12-18) are now a half game behind the Fire at 5-4 in the league.
Nick Streuer finished Saturday as SEU's top hitter, going 5-for-8 with four runs and one RBI. Peter Tassler registered a 4-for-5 first contest and touched home a total of five times in the two games.
Hinrikus added a 3-for-5 opener with three runs and two RBI, while Charlie Collins had hits in half his at bats (3-for-6) with a double, a solo homer, three runs, and an RBI.
Jon Paul Pennella singled two times with three runs scored and five RBI. Alfonso Villalobos added two singles with three RBI, and James Strom added two hits of his own with a run and an RBI, all in the first game.
After Reece Wissinger went the first game's first three innings, Anthony Ortiz earned the victory on the mound. Ortiz covered 2.1 innings, giving up one hit and striking out two. Austin Peddycoart recorded a scoreless seventh.
SEU and New College return to the field tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader to wrap up the 4-game series. First pitch of game one is at 2 p.m.
