LAKELAND, Fla. — No. 10 Southeastern closed out its four-game series against No. 11 St. Thomas with a 10–8 win on Saturday at Ted A. Broer Stadium, earning a split of the series and moving to 25-9 overall and 9-3 in Sun Conference play.
Southeastern wasted little time taking control, capitalizing on early opportunities to build a six-run advantage through two innings. The Fire struck first with a pair of runs in the opening frame—both unearned following a St. Thomas error—before putting together their most complete inning in the second.
Nathanial Hopkins ignited the rally with an RBI single,
Dayne Wimberly followed with a run-scoring hit, and the lineup continued to apply pressure with disciplined at-bats.
Cooper Ciesielski drove in a run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and
Braden Bartholomae capped the inning with an RBI walk to make it 6–0.
St. Thomas began to respond in the third, stringing together multiple extra-base hits to plate three runs and cut into the deficit. Southeastern answered in the fourth to regain separation, as Bartholomae delivered another RBI single and
Cade Parry followed with a run-scoring knock, extending the lead to 8–3 and reestablishing momentum.
The middle innings turned into a grind, with the Bobcats continuing to chip away. A three-run sixth tightened the game to 8–6, forcing the Fire to turn to the bullpen earlier than anticipated. St. Thomas completed the comeback bid in the eighth, using back-to-back run-scoring hits to even the score at 8–8 and put pressure on Southeastern late.
The Fire responded immediately in the bottom half with composure. After working consecutive walks to put the go-ahead run in scoring position, Hopkins stepped in and delivered the defining moment of the game, lining a two-run double down the third-base line to score
Paul Wittmann and Bartholomae. The clutch hit restored a 10–8 advantage and shifted momentum back firmly in Southeastern's favor.
On the mound, Southeastern pieced together the final outs behind a strong bullpen effort.
Micah Earwood provided the difference over the final 1.2 innings, striking out all four batters he faced in a dominant closing stretch. His outing included a key strikeout–throwout double play to end the eighth inning, cutting down a potential baserunner and preserving the newly regained lead.
Offensively, the Fire showcased balance and depth throughout the lineup. Wimberly led the way with three hits and three runs scored, consistently setting the table at the top of the order. Hopkins matched him with three hits and three RBIs, including the go-ahead knock, while Bartholomae drove in a game-high four runs. Southeastern finished with 12 hits and seven walks, repeatedly creating traffic and forcing St. Thomas to work under pressure.
With the series complete, Southeastern now turns its focus to another key Sun Conference test on the road, traveling to face No. 22 Keiser in a three-day series in West Palm Beach. The Fire will open the set on Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Friday at 11 a.m., before closing the series on Saturday at 11 a.m.
