KISSIMMEE, Fla.- On the fifth and final trip of the season to the Clermont/Kissimmee area for non-conference action, the Southeastern University softball team split an afternoon two-game set with the Concordia (Mich.) Cardinals and the Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles. The Fire fell to the Cardinals 2-1 before bouncing back with a 9-1 handling of the NCAA Division II Golden Eagles.
GAME ONE
Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings of action. Graduate pitcher Cheyenne Benson-Ross totaled five strikeouts through the first three frames she tossed.
The Cardinals plated both of their runs on three hits in the top of the fourth.
The Fire answered with an RBI single by sophomore outfielder Haleigh Harrell in the bottom of the sixth to score Bailee Moll and put SEU on the board.
Southeastern was unable to rally in the bottom of the seventh, going down in order in the half inning.
GAME TWO
Southeastern bounced back nicely in game two, plating nine runs on 13 hits.
Moll got the offensive showcase started in the top of the first, belting a lead-off home in the top of the first to put the Fire ahead 1-0.
SEU tacked on two more in the top of the third thanks to an RBI single by junior infielder Sam Holcomb and a miscue by the Golden Eagles.
Another RBI base-hit by Harrell in the top of the fourth scored Heather Faulk and grew the SEU lead to 4-0.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Dayna McDonald excelled in an impressive start on the mound for Southeastern. After battling through back-to-back bases-loaded jams in the first two innings, McDonald went on to retire seven straight batters. The Merritt Island native earned her first win of the season.
The Fire opened up the game in the top of the seventh, scoring five runs on three hits and two errors to make it 9-0.
Minnesota-Crookston scored its lone run of the contest in the bottom of the seventh.
Southeastern returns to Sun Conference play on Saturday versus St. Thomas in a doubleheader at the SEU Softball Complex. Game times are set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
MATT’S MATCHUPS 2025-26 HOOPS – WEEK 12
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