Fire Defeat Warriors in TSC Opener

No. 4 Southeastern Battles Back to Edge No. 25 Webber International in Sun Conference Kickoff
BABSON PARK, Fla. – In a game where the Fire battled back at the plate and settled in on the mound, the No. 4 Southeastern University baseball team defeated the No. 25 Webber International University Warriors 3-1 in its Sun Conference Opener.
The Fire found themselves in familiar territory, facing a first inning deficit. The Warriors brought one across in the bottom of the first on an RBI double.
After surrendering a run on two hits in the top of the first, junior lefty Jonathan Bermudez dialed in a gem. Bermudez responded with six shutout innings of one hit baseball, striking out nine during the stretch. The Polk State transfer retired the last nine batters he faced and eventually earned the winning decision.
After a tough time the first go round through the lineup, the Fire offense put together quality at bats the second time around. The Southeastern answer came in the top of the fifth. Junior utility man Marcus Stump got aboard with one out in the frame on a walk. Stump was immediately sent home by junior third baseman Keiner Colmenarez via an RBI double to put SEU on the board.
The Fire were not done in the inning, tacking on the go-ahead run off the bat of junior centerfielder Manuel Mesa, who singled home Colmenarez with two outs.
“We finally got comfortable and we actually grinded out at bats. We got pitches to hit instead of hitting their pitches. We made adjustments,” shared head coach Adrian Dinkel.
SEU added another insurance run in the top of the eighth when junior outfielder Marvin Malone singled home Mesa to put the Fire up 3-1.
The Warriors threatened with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a trio of walks. Junior right handed pitcher Heibert Romero dashed any WIU hope of a walk-off with a punch out to end the game. Romero earned his third save of the season.
“This showed us how to compete in a close game with a dugout that has a lot of energy…We found a way to win,” commented Dinkel.
The Fire look to sweep the weekend series versus the Warriors heading into doubleheader action Saturday. Game times are set for Noon and 3 p.m.