GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Fire had a big first game and were a hit away from a late comeback in a busy day of softball. Southeastern University took care of Morningside College, 7-1, before its seventh-inning rally fell short against No. 7 University of the Cumberlands, 7-4, for the Saturday split.
Leading 1-0 in the top of the fourth of the first game, both Chapel Cunningham and Ella Brooks laced run-scoring singles as part of a four-run at bat. After the Mustangs scored once in the home fourth, Emma Vickers shut the door in the circle for the Fire the final three frames for the win.
Trailing 2-1 going to the bottom of the third in teh second game, SEU edged ahead off a Maria Zelenka RBI groundout and a Kassidy Moore base hit driving in another runner. The Patriots deadlocked the game in the fourth before they scored four in the sixth, two unearned, for the 7-3 lead. Raylei McKinley singled and Leah Gonzalez doubled to start the SEU home seventh, but Cumberlands retired the ensuing three batters, ending the game.
The Fire (17-2) loss ended a 13-game win streak and dropped the team to 2-1 against ranked opponents. The Patriots improved to 13-5.
McKinley led the SEU offensive attack with five of the team's 14 hits. She was 5-for-8 with a double, a solo home run, two runs, and three RBI. Brooks added three singles in seven at-bats with two runs, two RBI, and three stolen bases. Lauren Sekinger also singled three times with a run scored.
Cunningham chipped in two singles, two runs, an RBI, and a stolen base. Moore contributed a pair of singles, while Gonzalez had the late double. Hailey Bradley completed the hitting with a game two double.
Vickers earned her first win in the circle, a complete game, giving up five hits and no earned runs, striking out four.
SEU completes the five-game weekend with a game against Texas A&M-Texarkana tomorrow. First pitch is at 10 a.m. EST.
