FORT MYERS, Fla. — Southeastern University kicked off the postseason in dominant fashion Thursday afternoon, dispatching Warner University 12-1 in a run-rule victory in seven innings on the opening day of the Sun Conference Baseball Tournament.
Senior left-hander Aaron Robertson was electric on the mound, striking out 11 and holding the Royals hitless through the first five frames. Backed by a massive 10-run fourth inning, the Fire secured their 40th win of the season—marking the seventh straight full season with at least 40 victories.
Leading just 1-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, Southeastern (40-11) broke the game wide open. James Strom, David Castillo, and Myles White opened the inning with three straight singles to ignite the rally. Strom capped the inning with his second hit— a two-run single to left center—while Castillo added another RBI single, and White doubled home two more to make it 11-1. The Fire sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame.
SEU totaled just nine hits on the day, but made them count. White led the way, going 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI. Strom and Castillo each went 2-for-3, combining for three RBI and two runs—all coming in the fourth.
Jon Paul Pennella singled to lead off the first, scored on a defensive miscue, and swiped two bases. Connor Hicks added a hit, a run, and a stolen base, while John Rossi reached twice, scored two runs, drove in one, and stole a pair of bags. Nick Streuer and Tyler Hinrikus also contributed on the base paths, combining for three runs. Alfonso Villalobos drove in a run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
On the mound, Robertson improved to 9-2 on the season and 2-0 against Warner. In two starts against the Royals this year, the veteran lefty has allowed just one earned run over 14 innings while striking out 17. Thursday's outing marked his fourth double-digit strikeout performance of the season as he allowed only three hits and one earned run.
Warner's lone run came in the sixth, breaking up the perfect game with a single, stolen base, and sacrifice fly.
With the win, Southeastern advances to Friday's second-round game at 2:30 p.m., where they will face Ave Maria University. The Gyrenes took three-of-four from the Fire earlier this season.
