LAKELAND, Fla. -- No. 9 Southeastern returns home this week for a four-game Sun Conference series against Ave Maria, continuing a critical stretch in league play. The Fire have been strong at Ted A. Broer Stadium this season and will look to build momentum against an Ave Maria squad that has shown the ability to compete on the mound. With the conference race tightening, every game carries added weight as SEU aims to maintain its position near the top of the standings.
Schedule
• Thursday, April 9 – 6 p.m.
• Friday, April 10 – 2 p.m. – Doubleheader
• Saturday, April 11 – 11 a.m.
All games at Ted A. Broer Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
How to Follow
Fans can watch all games live on the Urban Edge Network app, available on Smart TVs and mobile devices, or online at UrbanEdgeNetwork.net. Live updates, highlights, and in-game coverage will also be available through SEU Athletics social media channels.
Fire 5 — Five Notes on No. 9 SEU Baseball
- Never Out of It
SEU has shown resilience all season with 11 come-from-behind wins, including multiple late-inning rallies and extra-inning victories.
- Traffic = Trouble
The Fire offense gets better with runners on, hitting .318 with RISP and .305 with runners on base.
- Double Digits, Done Deal
When the bats get going, it's over: SEU is 17-0 when scoring 10+ runs and 19-2 in 5+ run games.
- Lockdown Mode
Pitching + defense continue to lead the way, holding opponents to a .248 average with a 3.56 ERA on the season.
- Finish Strong
SEU closes games at a high level, going 24-1 when leading after the 6th and dominating when out-hitting opponents.
About the Fire
Southeastern enters the week at 27-11 overall and 11-5 in Sun Conference play, carrying a .711 winning percentage and a strong 16-7 mark at home. The Fire have consistently performed well in road environments as well, going 10-2 away from Lakeland, and remain firmly in contention in the conference standings.
Offensively, SEU has been one of the most balanced lineups in the conference, hitting .302 as a team (61st nationally) with a .435 on-base percentage (30th) and .471 slugging percentage (44th). The Fire rank near the top of the Sun Conference in several categories, including second in OBP and first in slugging, while totaling 115 extra-base hits and 36 home runs on the year.
On the mound, Southeastern has been among the most effective staffs in the NAIA, posting a 3.58 team ERA (5th nationally) and a 1.34 WHIP (8th) while averaging 9.67 strikeouts per nine innings. The Fire lead the Sun Conference in ERA and WHIP, highlighting their consistency and depth across both the starting rotation and bullpen.
The Lineup
Armani Cozza has been the catalyst at the top of the lineup, hitting .404, which ranks among the best in the NAIA. He combines power and consistency with a .618 slugging percentage and has driven in 31 runs while scoring 39, serving as the tone-setter offensively.
Charlie Collins has provided a steady presence, batting .356 with a team-high on-base percentage near .500. His ability to draw walks and create traffic on the bases has been a key component of SEU's offensive production.
Nathanial Hopkins has been one of the most consistent hitters in the lineup, batting .319 while leading the team in hits and stolen bases. His versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways make him a central piece of the offense.
Dayne Wimberly adds production in the middle of the order with a .327 average and 31 RBIs, providing timely hitting and extra-base power that helps extend innings.
Cade Parry has been the team's top power threat, leading SEU with 7 home runs and contributing 28 RBIs. His ability to change the game with one swing adds another dimension to the lineup.
Beyond the core group,
Braden Bartholomae and
Cort Pryor have both delivered key contributions. Bartholomae has driven in 28 runs with a .307 average, while Pryor adds speed and run production with 27 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.
The depth continues with players like
Paul Wittmann and
Cooper Ciesielski, who have provided situational hitting and versatility throughout the season. Their ability to contribute in different roles has helped SEU maintain offensive consistency across the lineup.
The Staff
Blake Sandvik has anchored the rotation, posting a 3.38 ERA over 53.1 innings with 58 strikeouts. His ability to work deep into games and limit damage has made him one of the most reliable starters in the conference.
Byler Reither leads the team in wins with a 6-2 record, complementing a 3.88 ERA across 51 innings. His consistency and ability to compete in key moments have been critical for SEU's success.
Blake Albritton has provided stability in both starting and extended relief roles, logging nearly 40 innings with a 4.08 ERA and continuing to give the Fire valuable flexibility on the mound.
Brody McMullen has been effective in multiple roles, posting a 2.25 ERA while working both as a starter and out of the bullpen, giving SEU another dependable arm in high-leverage situations.
The bullpen has been a major strength, highlighted by arms like
Micah Earwood and
Peyten Czekalewski, both of whom have ERAs under 1.00 and have consistently shut down opposing offenses in late innings.
Additional depth from pitchers such as
Finn Still, Kai Langford, and
Parker Lambeth gives Southeastern multiple options depending on matchup and game situation, allowing the staff to remain flexible throughout a series.
About the Gyrenes
Ave Maria enters the weekend at 9-14 overall and 6-10 in Sun Conference play, still looking to find consistency, particularly away from home where they are 0-5 this season. Offensively, the Gyrenes are hitting .270 as a team with 13 home runs, led by Kyle Magdic (.338, 5 HR) and Michael Kelly (.321), while several others sit in the .290–.310 range. The lineup shows balance with multiple hitters capable of producing, but run prevention has been a challenge as opponents are hitting over .300 against them.
On the mound, Ave Maria carries an 8.81 team ERA, though there are a few arms capable of competing at a high level. Ryan Young (3.49 ERA, 33 strikeouts in 28.1 innings) and Jack McGlynn (3.86 ERA) headline the rotation, while Caleb West has shown swing-and-miss ability with 25 strikeouts. Depth and consistency have been the primary issues, but Ave Maria does have enough front-end pitching and offensive pieces to be competitive throughout a series.
Series History
Southeastern has controlled the all-time series against Ave Maria, holding a 50-12 overall advantage dating back to the first meeting in 2010. The Fire have been especially strong at home with a 24-4 record in Lakeland, while also posting a 24-8 mark on the road and remaining unbeaten in neutral-site matchups (2-0). SEU enters this weekend having won two straight in the series and seven of the last ten meetings, continuing a trend of consistent success over the past decade.
Looking Ahead
Southeastern will face one of its biggest tests of the conference season with a road series at first-place Webber International from April 16–18. The four-game set begins Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m., continues with a Friday, April 17 doubleheader at 2 p.m., and concludes Saturday, April 18 at noon in Babson Park. With both teams positioned near the top of the Sun Conference standings, the series carries significant implications and presents an opportunity for the Fire to make a statement as they push deeper into conference play.
