CLERMONT, Fla.- On a day where the Fire competed in 19 innings of softball, the Southeastern University softball team split a morning of two-game action. SEU defeated the Lourdes University Gray Wolves 4-3 in nine innings in the opening contest before falling to the St. Ambrose University Fighting Bees 2-1 in a 10-inning bout.
GAME ONE
The Fire struck first in the top of the third, thanks to a two-RBI single by junior infielder Sam Holcomb, which drove home Bailee Moll and Hannah Bonner, who had recorded base knocks earlier in the frame.
Lourdes responded with a big inning in the bottom of the fifth, plating three runs on two hits and two errors to take a 3-2 lead.
The Fire responded immediately in the top of the sixth, as a fly ball lifted to deep left off the bat of freshman outfielder Kristen Schwartz was long enough to score Haleigh Harrell from third for the sacrifice fly.
After a scoreless seventh, the contest went to extras. Both teams stranded runners on third in the eighth frame.
In the top of the ninth, the Fire notched the game-winning run off the bat of junior shortstop Whittney Purdy. The Queen Creek, Arizona native drove home Jaz Szierer with a single up the middle to put SEU ahead 4-3.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Ashley Appell was dynamic in relief, tossing four innings of one-hit baseball and striking out four in her fourth win of the season.
GAME TWO
Southeastern’s contest against St. Ambrose was an offensive struggle, as both teams had just one hit each through the first five innings and were scoreless through the first eight frames of action.
Appell was back on the mound for SEU in game two, this time as the starting arm. Appell struck out six through her opening eight shutout innings tossed.
The Fighting Bees struck first in the top of the ninth, plating a run on the RBI single. The Fire were able to find the equalizer in the bottom half of the frame, as Harrell singled home Moll to tie things up 1-1.
However, it was St. Ambrose who had the last word, scoring the go-ahead run with an RBI triple.
The Fire are back in Sun Conference action this weekend, as they travel to Lake Wales to take on Warner. Game times are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.