LAKELAND, Fla. — No. 8 Southeastern capped a dominant weekend at Ted A. Broer Stadium on Saturday, defeating Peru State 9–0 to complete the three-game series sweep and improve to 15–6 on the season.
The Fire set the tone immediately with a five-run first inning.
Armani Cozza reached on an error to begin the rally before
Dayne Wimberly reached safely to put two runners aboard.
Charlie Collins then delivered the big swing, launching a three-run home run to left field to give Southeastern an early lead. The power surge continued moments later as
Cade Parry and
Cooper Ciesielski each connected on solo home runs, pushing the Fire advantage to 5–0 before Peru State could record the third out.
Southeastern added to the lead in the second inning.
Paul Wittmann worked a walk and moved into scoring position before Wimberly lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home another run. Collins followed with a double down the left-field line to plate Cozza and extend the lead to 7–0.
The Fire offense produced consistently throughout the day, finishing with 12 hits. Collins turned in a perfect 4-for-4 performance with four RBIs and two runs scored, while Wimberly added three hits and an RBI. Parry and Ciesielski each contributed a home run, and
Nathanial Hopkins recorded two hits while driving in a run.
Southeastern added the final runs in the sixth inning. Wimberly doubled to start the rally before Collins singled to keep the pressure on. Hopkins followed with an RBI single, and Parry brought home another run with a sacrifice fly to make it 9–0.
On the mound, the Fire pitching staff combined for a four-hit shutout and struck out 14 Peru State batters.
Peyten Czekalewski earned the win with two scoreless innings in relief.
Blake Albritton worked three shutout frames with four strikeouts, while
Grant Trentmann,
Aron Harrington,
Micah Earwood, and
Hayden Givens-Craig each contributed scoreless outings to preserve the shutout.
Southeastern will return to action Monday, March 9, at 5 p.m. when the Fire face Cornerstone (Mich.) in Auburndale, Florida.
