LEWISTON, Idaho – In their biggest game of the season, Southeastern University delivered their most explosive offensive performance yet. The Fire erupted for 14 runs over their final four inning—capped by a six-run seventh—to run-rule No. 2 Georgia Gwinnett, 16-6, and advance to the 2025 Avista NAIA World Series Championship.
The Fire (47-14) surrendered two runs in the top of the first, but wasted no time punching back. After Jon Paul Pennella led off the bottom half with a single, Connor Hicks crushed the first pitch he saw from Grizzlies ace Ben Harris over the left-field wall to tie the game, 2-2.
"We got punched in the mouth quick, going down 2-0," said head coach Gabe Grinder. "We answered with Connor's home run, and it was the first time Reece has had to come back like that after a long outing earlier in the tournament. He did a really good job of stabilizing the game for us and allowing our offense to get going."
Southeastern broke the tie in the fourth, putting up six runs. Nick Streuer singled and Tyler Hinrikus doubled to set the table. A wild pitch on ball four to John Rossi allowed Streuer to score the go-ahead run. Charlie Collins followed with a two-run single, Hicks added an RBI knock, and James Strom drove in another. Two more runs crossed the plate to give SEU an 8-2 lead.
The Grizzlies (56-7) fought back with four runs in the fifth, but the Fire answered immediately. Collins added another RBI single in the bottom half, SEU tacked on a run in the sixth, then buried Georgia Gwinnett with six more in the seventh to end the game by run rule.
Reece Wissinger went 4.1 innings in the start, striking out two. Agnel Miranda (6-1) was brilliant out of the bullpen, tossing 2.2 shutout innings and giving up just three hits to earn the win.
The offensive outburst marked just the fourth time all season Georgia Gwinnett allowed double-digit runs—and its first double-digit, run-rule loss since a 23-7 defeat to Taylor University in the 2023 World Series.
The Fire compiled 20 hits in the seven-inning victory, with every starter recording at least one. Streuer led the way with a 4-for-5 performance, scoring twice and driving in two. Collins and Strom each collected three hits. Hicks finished 2-for-3 with a homer, three runs scored, and three RBI. Hinrikus chipped in two doubles and two RBI. Rossi reached base four times and scored twice, while David Castillo, Alfonso Villalobos, and Pennella also contributed to the onslaught.
"Rossi had a heck of a day," Grinder added. "He's only 19 years old and a true freshman. I don't know if anyone else in the World Series is playing a 19-year-old in their lineup. Connor was great, Fonzi was great, and Hinrikus had two doubles. You go up and down the lineup and it's hard to pick just one guy—they all did their jobs at a high level."
SEU kept pressure on the Grizzlies all game, with the leadoff hitter reaching base in every inning. The Fire were also an impressive 13-for-25 with runners in scoring position.
The Fire became the first team this season to defeat Georgia Gwinnett twice, having previously edged the Grizzlies, 2-1, on Tuesday night. Thursday's win sends Southeastern back to the NAIA World Series title game for the first time since 2022.
With the victory, SEU advances to face No. 1 and undefeated LSU-Shreveport (58-0) in the championship round. The Pilots set a new consecutive wins record with their victory over Hope International Thursday night. The Fire will need to beat LSU-Shreveport twice to claim the national title.
First pitch Friday is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. EDT. A Southeastern win would force a winner-take-all finale on Saturday night.
