BABSON PARK, Fla. -- No. 11 Southeastern picked up a doubleheader sweep over No. 12 Webber International on Friday in Babson Park, earning a 7-6 win in Game 1 before a 19-7 victory in Game 2 to take control of the series heading into Saturday's finale.
In the opener, Southeastern built a five-run cushion late and held off a seventh-inning rally to secure the 7-6 win. The Fire struck first in the opening inning, using three hits to take an early lead before Webber answered to tie the game. Southeastern moved back in front in the third on an RBI single from
Cooper Ciesielski.
Webber briefly took the lead in the fourth on a two-run double from Austen Jaslove, but the momentum shifted decisively in the sixth. Southeastern sent nine hitters to the plate and scored five runs, highlighted by a two-RBI single from
Armani Cozza and a two-run double from
Cade Parry. A sacrifice fly from Ciesielski capped the inning and pushed the lead to 7-3.
The Warriors made things interesting in the seventh, cutting the deficit to one on a three-run home run, but
Micah Earwood entered late and recorded the final out to earn the save and secure the victory.
Ciesielski led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance and two RBIs, while Cozza and Parry each added two RBIs. On the mound,
Austin Peddycoart earned the win after allowing three runs over six innings.
Southeastern carried that momentum into Game 2, erupting for 11 runs across the first two innings and cruising to a 19-7 win to complete the sweep.
The Fire plated four runs in the first inning and followed with a seven-run second, highlighted by a two-run home run from Ciesielski and a two-RBI single from
Nathanial Hopkins to extend the lead to 11-0. Southeastern continued to add on throughout the middle innings, including a five-run fifth inning that broke the game open at 19-1.
Charlie Collins delivered a key pinch-hit triple in the frame, driving in three runs.
Webber scored six runs in the seventh, but the early deficit proved too large to overcome.
Southeastern finished with 14 hits in the nightcap, with Ciesielski driving in four runs,
Isaiah Baez adding three hits and two RBIs, and Cozza scoring four times. Collins also contributed three RBIs off the bench.
Byler Reither earned the win on the mound, allowing just one unearned run over five innings while striking out six.
Finn Still handled the final two innings to close out the game.
With the sweep, Southeastern takes the series lead, with the finale set for Saturday at noon in Babson Park.
