Fire Softball Shutout by Warriors to Open TSC Play

LAKELAND, Fla.— In the opening doubleheader of Sun Conference action, the No. 22 Southeastern softball team dropped the pair of contests to the Webber International Warriors.
The Fire fell in extras in the first matchup, surrendering two runs in the eighth to go down 2-0. In the second game, a lone run in the top of the second inning gave Webber all of the support they needed, as the Warriors took the latter contest 1-0.
SEU struggled at the plate in both contests, not registering more than two hits in either competition. Despite the lackluster performances at the plate, the Fire continued to make contact throughout the games, as no Southeastern batter struck out over the 15 innings played.
The pitchers for both teams had wonderful outings in the circle. Hannah Bodenhorn only gave up three hits and struck out five through seven innings of work.
Stephanie Johnson and Emma Maitland combined to walk only two batters over the pair of games for Webber.
Game one featured double plays by both squads to keep the matchup scoreless. Following a 2-4-6-5 putout by the Warriors in the second, the Fire responded with a phenomenal play in the top of the third. Bailee Moll threw out a Warrior at first after an attempted sacrifice bunt, but Sam Holcomb gunned down the Warrior trying to score from third to keep Webber off the board.
Eventually, the Warriors used three hits to plate two runs in the eighth to take the game.
In game two, Ashley Appell took the circle for the Fire. The sophomore surrendered just five hits, while striking out two over six innings pitched.
Fellow sophomore Haleigh Harrell turned SEU’s second double play of the day in the fourth as the center fielder dove to catch a ball hit to shallow left center. Harrell got up quickly and fired a strike to first to double up the runner, who was on her way to second.
The Fire moved to 13-10 (0-2 TSC) with the pair of close defeats.
Southeastern will be back in action in Clermont on Tuesday when they take on Doane University. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.