FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Southeastern continued its run through the Sun Conference Tournament on Friday evening, earning a 6-1 victory over Keiser in the second round at JetBlue Park. With the win, the Fire remain the only unbeaten team left in the field and move one step closer to a championship appearance.
The Fire wasted little time taking control, putting together a decisive four-run first inning.
Armani Cozza sparked the rally with a leadoff single and aggressive baserunning, eventually coming around to score.
Cooper Ciesielski delivered the big early blow with a two-run single to center, and
Charlie Collins followed with an RBI double to extend the lead.
David Flores capped the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving Southeastern a 4-0 advantage before Keiser recorded its third out.
That early surge proved more than enough support for the Fire pitching staff, which turned in another steady performance. Starter
Austin Peddycoart worked through five innings to earn the win, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out six. He navigated multiple traffic situations, stranding runners in key moments and limiting the Seahawks' only run to a fifth-inning RBI groundout.
Southeastern added insurance in the sixth inning to further separate. Ciesielski continued his strong night with a solo home run to left-center, and after an error allowed Collins to reach, the Fire capitalized again as
Cort Pryor delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 6-1.
Out of the bullpen,
Hayden Givens-Craig provided a clean bridge inning before
Brody McMullen took over and closed the game with authority. McMullen tossed the final three innings, allowing no runs while striking out five to secure the save and preserve the five-run victory.
Offensively, Southeastern produced eight hits and consistently pressured Keiser with its speed.
Nathanial Hopkins led the way with three hits, while Ciesielski drove in three runs and Collins scored twice while adding an RBI. The Fire also swiped multiple bases, continuing a trend of aggressive play on the basepaths throughout the tournament.
With the win, Southeastern closes the day as the tournament's only unbeaten team, positioning the Fire well heading into Saturday. SEU will face the winner of Webber International and Keiser at 5 p.m., and as the lone unbeaten team, needs two wins before suffering two losses over the final two days to secure the Sun Conference Tournament title.
