Fire Softball Splits Conference Doubleheader Against Cross County Foe

LAKE WALES, Fla. – After falling by a score of 3-2 in game one, Southeastern bashed 12 hits, scored seven runs to solidify a game two victory over Warner University, 7-6.
Southeastern established an early lead over Warner in game one of today’s doubleheader with the help of timely hitting from Brandee Pietrzak. Down to their final out in the top of the third, the native of New Carlisle, Indiana singled up the middle to score Lauren Watters.
After the bats were held quiet, the Fire would add an insurance run in the top of the sixth. After a leadoff double by Sam Holcomb, Pietrzak was able to force an error by the Royals’ third baseman allowing the Fire to take a 2-0 lead. Pietrzak finished the game 1-3 and collected RBIs 30 and 31 this season.
Sitting on a two-run lead, Hannah Bodenhorn was able to keep the Royals’ offense silent through six innings surrendering only three hits.
However, down to their final three outs, the Royals were able to battle back and tie the game on three hits and two errors by the Fire.
With the international tiebreaker in effect, the Royals stranded the runner on second with a chance to issue Southeastern their 11th loss of the season. A single to begin the inning and a stolen base made it a second and third situation with one out. Avery Cotterill laid down a bunt allowing the winning run from third to score for the Royals.
In an attempt to bounce back in game two, Haleigh Harrell tripled to propelled the Fire to their first run in game two. Anna Welsh called upon Natalie Hughes off of the bench to drive the run in from third. As she has done so countless times this season, Hughes struck the match that would ignite the Fire.
Southeastern poured on three runs aided by Britney Schmidt and Britt Robinson. The Fire took a compelling 3-0 lead, but the Royals would answer back during the ensuing inning.
When the Fire would score one, the Royals would score three. Even though the Fire had their backs against the wall late in the game, Southeastern took advantage of a pitching change to begin the fifth.
Once again, Southeastern tallied their second three-run inning in the top of the fifth. RBI singles by Schmidt and Lauren Watters highlighted the frame.
Just as Warner was about to commence a comeback, head Welsh made a call to the bullpen. Kiah Ferrell would work out of a bases-loaded jam to hold the Royals scoreless in the bottom of the fifth. This would mark the first time the Royals would be held scoreless following the Fire’s runs in the top of an inning.
With one out showing on the scoreboard, Sara Bruno hit a lineshot right to Schmidt at first base to begin a game ending double play.
Southeastern’s Harrell, Pietrzak, Schmidt, Robinson, and Watters all collected multi-hit games. As a collective group the Fire hit .363 in game two.
The Fire will be back on the diamond this Saturday when they battle Webber International University. First pitches are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.