LAKELAND, Fla. -- No. 19 Southeastern returns home for a six-game stretch at the SEU Softball Field, highlighted by the Sun Conference opening series against Ave Maria. Due to schedule adjustments, the three-game league set will now begin Thursday at 3 p.m., followed by a Friday doubleheader at 11 a.m. The Fire then host No. 6 Grand View on Monday and Calumet College of St. Joseph on Tuesday in a pair of nonconference doubleheaders.
Schedule
- February 26, 2026 (Thursday) – 3 p.m. – vs. Ave Maria*
- February 27, 2026 (Friday) – 11 a.m. (DH) – vs. Ave Maria*
- March 2, 2026 (Monday) – 12 p.m. (DH) – vs. #6 Grand View
- March 3, 2026 (Tuesday) – 12 p.m. (DH) – vs. Calumet College of St. Joseph
All games at the SEU Softball Field.
How to Follow
Fans can watch live on the Urban Edge Network App (Smart TV and mobile) or online at
urbanedgenetwork.net. Live stats will be available for all games, with updates provided on SEU Athletics social media throughout the week. Full recaps will be posted to SEUFire.com following each contest.
Fire 5
- Zelenka on a Historic Run
Maria Zelenka has earned three straight Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week awards (Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb. 23) and owns a league-best 0.21 ERA with 54 strikeouts through her first six starts this season.
- Nation's Best Pitching Staff
Southeastern enters the week ranked No. 1 nationally in ERA (0.97) and No. 2 in WHIP (0.89) while holding opponents to just a .186 batting average.
- Hard to Beat When SEU Hits
The Fire are 9–0 when out-hitting opponents and 7–0 when scoring first, showing how quickly games tilt once SEU gains early momentum.
- Table Setters Leading the Conference
Ella Brooks (.563) and Lauren Sekinger (.531) both rank among the top hitters in the Sun Conference, combining for 35 hits at the top of the lineup.
- Dominant Early Season Formula
SEU already has six shutouts in 11 games and has allowed more than four runs just once all season, highlighting the balance between elite pitching and consistent run production.
About the Fire
Southeastern enters the week at 9–2 overall. The Fire are 7–1 at home, 1–0 on the road, and 1–1 at neutral sites entering the conference opener.
Offensively, SEU is hitting .335 as a team with a .427 on-base percentage and a .444 slugging percentage for an .871 OPS. The Fire have produced 19 extra-base hits and five home runs while ranking 48th nationally in batting average and 33rd in on-base percentage.
In the circle, Southeastern has been one of the most dominant staffs in the NAIA, leading the nation with a 0.97 ERA while ranking second nationally with a 0.89 WHIP. The Fire average 7.10 strikeouts per seven innings and have limited opponents to a .186 batting average.
At the Plate
Ella Brooks continues to pace the Fire offense, batting .563 while ranking among the Sun Conference leaders in both batting average and on-base percentage (.632). Brooks has collected 18 hits this season and consistently creates scoring chances at the top of the order with her speed and ability to reach base.
Lauren Sekinger has been equally steady, hitting .531 with 17 hits while posting a .595 on-base percentage. One of the toughest hitters in the lineup to strike out, Sekinger provides consistent contact and situational production in the middle of the order.
Raylei McKinney leads Southeastern with 11 RBIs and continues to provide extra-base production, driving in runs while anchoring the heart of the lineup. Her ability to deliver in run-producing situations has helped fuel SEU's early offensive success.
Additional depth throughout the lineup has come from players like
Hailey Bradley and
Ava Planeta, giving Southeastern multiple offensive options and strong production throughout the batting order.
In the Circle
Maria Zelenka has led one of the top pitching staffs in the country, posting a 5–1 record with a conference-leading 0.21 ERA across 33.2 innings. She ranks among the Sun Conference leaders in wins and strikeouts per seven innings while continuing to miss bats at a high rate.
Edan Playa has complemented Zelenka with a perfect record and a sub-1.00 ERA, leading the conference with a 0.50 WHIP while limiting opponents to minimal baserunners. Her efficiency and command have provided consistency in both starting and extended appearances.
Together, the duo has anchored a staff that has recorded six shutouts and established Southeastern as one of the most effective pitching teams in the NAIA entering conference play.
About the Opposition
Ave Maria enters the Sun Conference opener with one of the most productive offenses in the league, led by conference batting leader Kate McIntyre. The Gyrenes combine strong offensive production with a pitching staff that features multiple arms ranked among the conference ERA leaders, setting up an early-season matchup between two of the league's top teams.
No. 6 Grand View brings a nationally ranked program to Lakeland with balance on both sides of the ball. The Vikings feature a lineup capable of producing power while pairing it with a pitching staff that limits opposing offenses and keeps games competitive deep into contests.
Calumet College of St. Joseph rounds out the homestand as the Crimson Wave look for momentum early in their season. Despite a slow start in the win column, Calumet features hitters capable of putting the ball in play and will look to challenge the Fire during Tuesday's doubleheader.
