LAKELAND, Fla. -- No. 19 Southeastern turned Saturday into a showcase of both power and poise, sweeping a home doubleheader against Abraham Baldwin with a 9–0 run-rule victory in Game 1 and a dramatic 4–3 walk-off win in Game 2 at the SEU Softball Field. The pair of victories pushed the Fire to 6–0 on the young season and highlighted a team that can win comfortably or grind out tight games when needed.
The opener set the tone for the day. Behind a dominant performance in the circle from
Maria Zelenka and a late offensive eruption, Southeastern controlled Game 1 from start to finish. Although the final margin was lopsided, the early innings were tightly contested. Both teams were scoreless after one, and Zelenka immediately showed she was in command, striking out the side in the first inning. Her ability to mix speeds and hit spots kept Abraham Baldwin off balance all afternoon, and solid defense behind her ensured quick innings.
SEU broke through in the bottom of the second.
Raylei McKinney sparked the rally with a double to right field, and
Abby Franey followed with a single to apply pressure. An Abraham Baldwin throwing error allowed McKinney to cross the plate for the game's first run. It was a slim 1–0 lead, but Zelenka made it stand up, continuing to rack up strikeouts and prevent any sustained threats.
The Fire added to the lead in the third.
Ella Brooks singled and later scored on a RBI single from
Lauren Sekinger, stretching the advantage to 2–0. Southeastern's approach at the plate was consistent — put the ball in play, force the defense to execute, and take extra bases when available. That formula paid off in a decisive fourth inning.
The bottom of the fourth turned the game into a rout.
Breanna Stowers opened the frame with a single, and a hit-by-pitch combined with another base hit loaded the bases. With two outs, Brooks delivered the signature swing of the game, launching a towering hgrand slam to right-center. In a matter of seconds, a close game became a commanding 6–0 lead.
The Fire kept pouring it on. Sekinger added another single, McKinney was hit by a pitch, and Zelenka helped her own cause with a two-RBI double to the gap. A defensive miscue allowed one more run to score, capping a seven-run inning that put the run rule firmly in sight.
Zelenka closed things out in the fifth to secure the complete-game shutout. She scattered five hits, walked none, and struck out 10 in a highly efficient 79-pitch performance. Abraham Baldwin rarely hit the ball with authority, and when they did, Southeastern's defense was steady. Offensively, the Fire produced 11 hits, with Brooks' homer and four RBIs leading the charge. Sekinger and Zelenka each posted multi-hit efforts as Southeastern cruised to the 9–0 win.
If Game 1 showed Southeastern's ability to dominate, Game 2 revealed its resilience.
The nightcap began in far different fashion, as Abraham Baldwin capitalized on defensive errors to score two unearned runs in the first inning. Before the Fire could settle in, they were facing a 2–0 deficit. Southeastern answered quickly. Brooks singled, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on McKinney's RBI single to trim the lead to 2–1.
The Stallions added another run in the second on an RBI double, pushing the margin to 3–1. From there, Southeastern needed to regroup. Starting pitcher
Emma Vickers stabilized the game, limiting further damage and giving the offense a chance to respond.
The Fire began chipping away in the third. Brooks singled again to start the rally, and after being moved into scoring position, she came home on Sekinger's RBI single. Moments later, McKinney delivered again, reaching in a sequence that brought in the tying run and leveled the score at 3–3.
Both teams had opportunities over the next few innings, but key defensive plays and timely pitching kept the scoreboard unchanged. Southeastern then turned to left-handed reliever
Edan Playa, who delivered a standout performance. The southpaw worked the final 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out one. She consistently induced weak contact and groundouts, calmly navigating pressure situations to keep the Stallions off the board.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the seventh.
Jaidyn Fuller led off with a single, and Brooks followed with another base hit to put the winning run in motion. A sacrifice bunt from
Hailey Bradley moved both runners into scoring position. After Sekinger drew a walk to load the bases, McKinney stepped in once more and delivered. Her infield single brought Fuller home and triggered a celebration as the Fire poured out of the dugout following the 4–3 walk-off win.
Brooks was a catalyst all game, finishing with three hits and two runs scored. McKinney matched her with three hits and two RBIs, repeatedly coming through in big moments.
Ava Planeta added two hits as Southeastern piled up 12 total.
Despite committing four errors in Game 2, Southeastern's combination of clutch hitting and composed pitching proved enough.
SEU returns to action on Monday, February 16, hosting Mobile for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at the SEU Softball Field.
