MOBILE, Ala. -- No. 3 Southeastern capped a perfect weekend in Mobile by outlasting the Rams 5–4 in 10 innings on Saturday at Jacobs Field, completing a four-game series sweep and pushing the Fire to 9–3 on the season. In a back-and-forth finale that featured late-inning swings, timely power, and clutch relief pitching, SEU found just enough to secure the extra-inning victory and finish the trip unbeaten.
The finale unfolded as a grind from the start. Mobile struck first in the opening inning, using a double and a sacrifice fly to grab a 1–0 lead. Southeastern starter
Blake Albritton settled in from there, working through early traffic and keeping the Rams from delivering a big inning despite steady contact. Mobile added two more runs in the fourth, taking advantage of a throwing error and a run-scoring single to build a 3–0 cushion.
For much of the early game, the Fire offense was kept quiet by Mobile's starter Andin Bolen, who limited hard contact and forced SEU to play from behind. Southeastern finally broke through in the fifth. After
Brock McMullen was hit by a pitch and
Cort Pryor entered as a pinch runner,
Armani Cozza changed the game with one swing, driving a two-run home run down the left-field line. The blast cut the deficit to 3–2 and injected life into the Fire dugout.
That momentum carried into the seventh.
Dayne Wimberly opened the inning with a single and
Cade Parry followed with a double to put two in scoring position.
Nick Streuer then delivered the key hit, lining a two-RBI single through the left side to score both runners and give Southeastern its first lead at 4–3.
Mobile refused to fade quietly. In the eighth, the Rams used a leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt to set up the tying run. A groundout brought that runner home, evening the score at 4–4 and forcing Southeastern to search for a late answer. Albritton's outing ended after 7.1 innings, with the right-hander scattering 11 hits and allowing four runs (three earned) while keeping SEU within striking distance throughout.
The Fire had chances in the ninth but could not push across the go-ahead run, sending the contest to extra innings. In the 10th, Southeastern executed situational baseball to perfection. Streuer started the frame with a single and later moved to third as the Fire loaded the bases. Wimberly then lifted a sacrifice fly to right, allowing Streuer to tag and score what proved to be the decisive run for a 5–4 advantage.
From there, the bullpen closed the door.
Micah Earwood, who earned the win, bridged the game into the 10th and worked around late pressure. With the tying and go-ahead runs aboard in the bottom of the 10th,
Cole Jones entered and recorded the final out on a lineout to first to secure his second save and the series sweep.
Streuer led the offense by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and scoring the winning run, while Cozza's homer accounted for two more runs. Parry added a double and Wimberly drove in two, including the extra-inning winner. Although Mobile outhit Southeastern 12–7, the Fire made their hits count and delivered in high-leverage spots.
Southeastern now turns its attention to next weekend's home series against Marian at Ted A. Broer Stadium. The Fire will host a doubleheader on Friday, February 20 at 2 p.m., followed by another doubleheader on Saturday, February 21 beginning at 11 a.m.
