LAKELAND, Fla. -- No. 3 Southeastern turned in a controlled, pressure-filled performance against No. 12 Oklahoma Wesleyan on Wednesday night at Ted A. Broer Stadium, combining elite pitching with relentless offensive traffic to secure a 9–0 shutout victory. The Fire improved to 4–1 on the season while the Eagles fell to 4–2. The win marked Southeastern's first shutout of the season and opened a four-game series between the two ranked programs.
Southeastern's offensive approach defined the night. The Fire loaded the bases in every inning from the second through the eighth, repeatedly forcing Oklahoma Wesleyan pitchers to operate under stress. Even when the big hit didn't immediately arrive, SEU's ability to extend innings, take walks, and accept free bases kept the pressure constant and eventually broke the game open.
The first run came in the third inning and started with
Paul Wittmann, who doubled and later stole third before coming home on
Nick Streuer's RBI single. That 1–0 lead was more than enough for starter
Blake Sandvik, who delivered a commanding outing on the mound.
Sandvik improved to 2–0 with seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out seven. He attacked the zone all night and kept OKWU hitters off balance, never allowing the Eagles to string together momentum. He faced only a handful of high-leverage situations and worked out of each calmly.
SEU added on in the fifth when Streuer singled and eventually scored on
David Flores' RBI hit. The Fire then seized full control in the sixth. With the bases loaded yet again,
Cort Pryor drew a walk to force in a run, Streuer followed with another RBI walk, and
Nathanial Hopkins added a run-scoring groundout to push the lead to 5–0.
The seventh inning continued the onslaught.
Joel Franco walked to start the rally and
Braden Bartholomae singled. After a sacrifice bunt by
Charlie Collins moved runners into scoring position, the bases were loaded once more.
Victor Esquivel Perez was hit by a pitch to force in a run, Pryor delivered an RBI single, and Hopkins added a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 8–0.
The Fire capped the scoring in the eighth when Perez lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Franco.
Wittmann served as the catalyst for the offense, reaching base six times via a double, hit-by-pitch, and four walks, scoring three runs and stealing two bases. Streuer finished with two hits, two RBIs, and a stolen base, while Pryor and Hopkins each drove in two runs. Bartholomae added two hits, and Flores contributed an RBI. As a team, Southeastern drew 12 walks and was hit by seven pitches, showcasing a patient and disciplined offensive approach.
Out of the bullpen,
Brody McMullen and
Peyten Czekalewski each tossed a scoreless inning to complete the shutout. The Fire defense backed the pitching staff by turning three double plays and limiting Oklahoma Wesleyan to five hits on the night.
The series continues on Friday as Southeastern hosts Oklahoma Wesleyan at 2 p.m. at Ted A. Broer Stadium.
