FORT MYERS, Fla. – For the first time in five seasons, Southeastern University will not be playing for the Sun Conference Baseball Championship. The Fire dropped back-to-back games Saturday, falling 7-3 to Webber International and 18-10 to Keiser University in an elimination doubleheader.
Both games followed a similar script—early deficits SEU could not overcome. In the opening contest, Webber took advantage of a first-inning error to plate five unearned runs. Later in the elimination game, Keiser matched that with five runs in the top of the first inning, putting SEU on the back foot again.
Trailing 5-0 in Game 1, the Fire attempted a late push with a Jon Paul Pennella RBI double in the seventh and a two-run homer by Alfonso Villalobos in the eighth, but it wasn't enough to climb back.
In Game 2, SEU responded to the early deficit with a four-run second inning, highlighted by Pennella's two-run single. After cutting the lead to 9-8 in the fifth behind a Pennella triple and Charlie Collins RBI double, Keiser pulled away for good with eight unanswered runs over the next three innings.
The loss drops SEU to 41-13 and ends its four-year run as Sun Conference tournament champions. The Fire had won the league title each year since 2020, including an 8-4 win over Keiser in last year's championship game.
Southeastern's offense totaled 22 hits across both games. Jon Paul Pennella led the way, going 6 for 11 with two doubles, a triple, and four RBI, including a 5-for-6 performance in the nightcap. Alfonso Villalobos went 4 for 6 with six RBI, two runs, a two-run homer, and a sacrifice fly. John Rossi finished 4 for 5 on the day with four runs, a double, and an RBI. Charlie Collins added two doubles, a run, and an RBI, while Peter Tassler chipped in a double and single with one RBI. Tyler Hinrikus, Connor Hicks, and David Castillo each contributed with base hits.
Reliever Agnel Miranda turned in the best outing on the mound, tossing seven strong innings in Game 1. He allowed only three hits and two earned runs, striking out two and keeping the Fire within striking distance.
Despite the tournament exit, Southeastern is expected to earn an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, scheduled for May 12–15. They will host in Lakeland at Ted A. Broer Stadium for the first time in program history. The brackets will be announced on May 7 at 6 p.m. eastern time.
