LAKELAND, Fla. -- No. 10 Southeastern returns home this week for a critical Sun Conference series against No. 11 St. Thomas, carrying a six-game winning streak into one of the most important stretches of the season. At 23–7 overall and 7–1 in conference play, the Fire have established themselves as one of the league's most complete teams. With both programs ranking near the top of the conference in several statistical categories, this series presents a strong midseason measuring stick with potential postseason implications.
Schedule
- Thursday, March 26 — 6 p.m. vs. St. Thomas
- Friday, March 27 — 2 p.m. (DH) vs. St. Thomas
- Saturday, March 28 — 11 a.m. vs. St. Thomas
All games at Ted A. Broer Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
How to Follow
Fans can watch all four games live on the Urban Edge Network, available via smart TVs and mobile devices, as well as online at
UrbanEdgeNetwork.net. Live statistics will be provided through
SEUFire.com, with real-time updates, highlights, and in-game coverage available on social media via @SEUFireBaseball.
Fire 5 — Five Notes on No. 10 SEU Baseball
- March Surge
The Fire are heating up at the right time, hitting .331 with a .993 OPS in March after sitting at .274 in January. The offense has produced 134 runs and 19 HRs this month alone, signaling a major midseason jump.
- When They Score, They Win
Southeastern is 14–0 when scoring 10+ runs and 17–1 in games decided by 5+ runs, showing just how dominant they are when the offense clicks.
- Table Setters Everywhere
Six different players have double-digit stolen bases, led by Paul Wittmann (16), Cort Pryor (12), and Nathanial Hopkins (10-for-10). The Fire are 74-for-95 (78%) on steals, constantly creating pressure on defenses.
- Fast Starts Matter
Southeastern is 5–0 when scoring in the first inning and 15–3 when scoring first, showing how quickly they can seize control of a game and force opponents to play from behind.
- Pitching Depth Wins Series
The Fire own a 2.89 team ERA with opponents hitting just .235, backed by elite bullpen production (2.29 ERA in relief). Eight different arms carry ERAs under 3.00, giving SEU one of the deepest staffs in the NAIA.
About the Fire
Southeastern enters the week at 23–7 overall with a .767 winning percentage and a strong 7–1 mark in Sun Conference play. The Fire have been particularly effective in controlled environments, posting a 14–5 home record while remaining unbeaten on the road at 8–0. Their current six-game winning streak reflects consistent production on both sides of the ball and an ability to handle a variety of game situations.
Offensively, Southeastern is hitting .302 as a team with a .440 on-base percentage and .485 slugging percentage, combining for a .925 OPS that ranks among the top third nationally. The Fire have produced 273 hits and 271 runs through 30 games , showing an ability to both generate traffic and convert opportunities. Their .440 OBP ranks second in the Sun Conference, while their .485 slugging percentage leads the league, highlighting a lineup that balances patience with power.
On the mound, the Fire have been one of the most efficient staffs in the country, posting a 2.89 ERA across 243 innings while limiting opponents to a .235 batting average . The staff has struck out 257 batters compared to just 88 walks, translating to strong command and swing-and-miss ability. Nationally, Southeastern ranks fourth in ERA and seventh in WHIP (1.26), reinforcing their identity as a pitching-driven team that controls games.
SEU Metrics
Southeastern continues to receive strong recognition across multiple polls, ranking No. 10 in the NAIA Coaches Poll, No. 8 in the NAIA East ARC rankings, No. 7 in the NAIABall Media Poll, and No. 4 in Perfect Game's national rankings. The consistency across these polls reflects both strong results and underlying performance metrics.
Computer rankings further support the Fire's profile as a national contender. Southeastern sits No. 14 in NAIA RPI and No. 13 in Massey Ratings, while PearRatings places the Fire at No. 18 in NET with a Team Strength Rating of No. 10. College Baseball Ratings are even more favorable, ranking Southeastern No. 4 overall. While strength of schedule metrics remain in the middle tier, the Fire's efficiency metrics suggest a team performing at a top-10 national level.
The Lineup
Armani Cozza has been the tone-setter for Southeastern, hitting .426 (29-for-68) with nine doubles, three home runs, and 26 RBIs while scoring 34 runs in just 26 appearances . His .513 on-base percentage and .691 slugging percentage highlight his ability to impact the game in multiple ways, while his low strikeout total (10) underscores elite bat-to-ball skills.
Charlie Collins has provided equal consistency and arguably the best pure on-base profile on the team, hitting .395 (32-for-81) with a .515 OBP and .617 slugging percentage . He has drawn 13 walks and been hit by seven pitches, showing a willingness to grind out at-bats, while adding seven doubles, three home runs, and 18 RBIs.
Dayne Wimberly has been one of the most complete offensive players in the lineup, batting .365 (31-for-85) with seven doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 26 RBIs . His .600 slugging percentage reflects consistent extra-base impact, while his 20 runs scored and ability to drive the ball to all fields have made him a steady middle-of-the-order presence.
Nathanial Hopkins has been a reliable everyday contributor, starting all 30 games and collecting 26 hits with six doubles and 21 RBIs . His .430 OBP is driven by 18 walks and eight hit-by-pitches, while his perfect 10-for-10 mark in stolen bases adds another dimension.
Cade Parry brings raw power to the roster, leading the team with seven home runs while adding 22 RBIs and a .548 slugging percentage . He has also drawn nine walks and been hit by eight pitches, showing improved plate discipline, while his ability to drive in runs in key moments has solidified his role in the middle of the order.
The depth of the lineup has been a major strength.
Paul Wittmann has scored 34 runs while posting a .441 OBP with 22 walks and a team-best 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts.
Cort Pryor has added 25 RBIs and 12 stolen bases while slugging .521.
Cooper Ciesielski has chipped in four home runs and a .500 slugging percentage, while
Victor Esquivel Perez has contributed 11 RBIs and drawn seven hit-by-pitches, consistently finding ways to reach base.
The Staff
Blake Sandvik has anchored the rotation as the team's most reliable arm, going 5–0 with a 2.86 ERA over 44.0 innings while striking out 49 batters against just 12 walks . He has limited opponents to a .250 batting average and consistently worked deep into games, giving Southeastern a dependable tone-setter every time he takes the ball.
Byler Reither has matched Sandvik's win total at 5–1, logging 38.0 innings with 35 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .267 average . His ability to manage contact and navigate lineups multiple times has made him a steady second option in the weekend rotation.
Blake Albritton has delivered consistency across multiple roles, posting a 2.90 ERA in 31.0 innings with 26 strikeouts and a .254 opponent batting average . He has proven effective both as a starter and in extended relief, giving the staff flexibility depending on game flow.
Brody McMullen has filled a valuable hybrid role, compiling a 2.45 ERA across 22.0 innings with 17 strikeouts . While often working in shorter stints, his ability to limit damage and keep games under control has made him an important bridge arm.
Austin Peddycoart has quietly been one of the more efficient contributors, posting a 2.92 ERA over 12.1 innings with 16 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .200 batting average . His strikeout rate and ability to suppress hits have made him a strong option in key middle innings.
The depth behind those five has been a major factor in Southeastern's success.
Micah Earwood (0.87 ERA, 16 strikeouts in 10.1 innings) and
Finn Still (1.29 ERA, 14 strikeouts in 14.0 innings) have been highly effective in limiting baserunners and closing out innings .
Aron Harrington (1.86 ERA, 14 strikeouts in 9.2 innings) and
Parker Lambeth (2.00 ERA, 12 strikeouts in 9.0 innings) have provided consistent middle relief, while Peyton Czekalewski has yet to allow an earned run across 9.0 innings with 11 strikeouts.
Hayden Givens-Craig has also remained unscored upon in limited action, giving the Fire multiple reliable options to piece together innings and maintain control late in games.
About St. Thomas
St. Thomas enters the weekend at 19–11 overall and 4–4 in Sun Conference play, sitting right in the middle of the league race. The Bobcats have built their record entirely at home, and this series will mark their first road games of the season. They come in having dropped two straight and three of their last four during a tight series with Warner that featured multiple one-run games.
Offensively, St. Thomas is one of the top lineups in the conference, hitting .317 as a team with 311 hits and 254 runs scored. Daytan Biegel leads the way at .370 with six home runs and a .620 slugging percentage, while Erick Ballenilla (.333, 17 stolen bases, 24 RBIs) and Edwin Toribio (34 RBIs, five home runs) provide production in the middle of the order. Luis Morera (.298, five home runs, 22 RBIs) adds further depth, while Eddie Novoa has been highly efficient in limited action, hitting .455.
On the mound, the Bobcats carry a 4.10 team ERA with 301 strikeouts, led by Ismael Cordoba (1.22 ERA, 49 strikeouts in 44.1 innings), along with high-strikeout arms Juan Fernandez (71 strikeouts) and Diego Evans (52 strikeouts), giving St. Thomas a staff capable of missing bats at a high rate.
Series History
Southeastern holds a 31–26 edge in the all-time series with St. Thomas, including a 14–8 mark at home, and enters this weekend having won two straight while going 9–1 over the last 10 meetings. The rivalry, which dates back to 2010, has shifted decisively in recent years, with the Fire winning each of the last four season series since 2022 and consistently controlling postseason matchups.
Looking Ahead
Southeastern will remain in conference play next week with another significant test, traveling to West Palm Beach for a four-game series against No. 22 Keiser beginning Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m. The series continues with a doubleheader on Friday at 11 a.m., followed by the finale on Saturday at 11 a.m. The matchup presents another opportunity for the Fire to strengthen their position in the Sun Conference standings, facing a Keiser squad that consistently ranks among the league's top contenders.
