LAKELAND, Fla. — The Southeastern Fire scored eight runs in the final three innings of Thursday's series opener against the Ave Maria Baseball team. Thankfully, the Gyrenes' lead was nine as Ave Maria outlasted Southeastern to win 11-10.
The Gyrenes opened the scoring in the top of the second inning thanks to a Southeastern error. With the bases loaded, the Fire tried to turn two on a ground ball to third, but overthrew first, allowing Joe Manesiotis and Omari Swinton to score on the play.
Southeastern got a run back in the bottom half of the frame, but a strikeout from Ryan Young ended the inning with the Gyrenes still on top.
Ave Maria found the scoreboard again in the top of the fourth with an RBI infield single from Patrick Corley that brought home Swinton. For both runs he scored, Swinton was courtesy running for the catcher Jake LaVine.
The Fire again responded with a run of their own in the bottom half, but the defense held strong and the Gyrenes were still leading 3-2 at the end of four.
The Gyrenes added two more runs in the fifth off an RBI double from Kyle Magdic and an RBI single from Manesiotis.
In the sixth inning, AMU poured on the runs, bringing home five more to get up to double figures. The five runs were scored off three hits and three Fire errors. A fielder's choice brought home the first run as Michael Kelly reached safely and Kelton Klemcke came into a score. A fielding error to put Anthony Fernandex aboard brought home Corley for the next run. Magdic then got his second RBI of the night with a single that scored Kelly. Ri'Shon Pearl and Manesiotis then slapped back-to-back RBI singles to bring home the final two runs of the frame.
The Gyrenes scored their final run in the top of the seventh off an RBI bunt single from Kelly that scored Klemcke.
Following the seventh inning stretch, Southeastern began their comeback by plating four runs of two homers.
In the eighth, the Fire collected four RBI base hits to make the score 11-10. SEU tried to tie the game on the fourth hit, but Pearl was able to throw the runner out at the plate from right field to end the inning and keep the Gyrenes in front.
In the bottom of the ninth, the fire got the tying run aboard again with a leadoff walk. However, Ave Maria immediately turned a double play to erase the runner. The final batter flied out to center field on the first pitch as the Gyrenes put the ninth ranked Fire away in the series opener.
On the mound, Young tossed the first 4.1 innings and allowed two unearned runs off two hits, three walks and two strikeouts. Jack McGlynn replaced in the fifth and tossed the next 2.2 innings. Despite allowing the two home runs in the seventh, McGlynn was steady and earned his second win of the season. Caleb Niese got the save as he recorded the final two outs of the eighth and all three outs in the ninth to end the game. It is his third save of the season.
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 10-14 overall and 7-10 in conference play. The Gyrenes have also won four of their last six games against the Fire over the last two seasons. In all six matchups, Southeastern has been ranked in the Top 10 of the NAIA.
The series continues Friday, April 10, with a doubleheader between the Gyrenes and Fire. First pitch of game one is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.
