LAKELAND, Fla. - Host Southeastern (17-12, 3-4 TSC) held off St. Thomas (16-11, 4-3) 6-5 in the first of a three-game series on Friday night in Lakeland.The Fire held the Bobcats to just three hits, including a grand slam hit by STU third baseman
Cesar Ramirez.
Southeastern scored two runs in three consecutive innings building a 6-0 lead after five complete. Â
STU then scored all five of its runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Jose Gomez led off the inning with a walk, then moved to third on a double by
Oscar Aguirre. Â
Steven Fischer was hit by pitch to load the bases, bringing up Ramirez who promptly hit a grand slam to clear the bases and cut the SEU lead to two. Â It marked the back-to-back games with a home run for Ramirez who has registered nine RBI over the past two games.
The Bobcats however were unable to score again as SEU pitching held STU without a hit for the final three innings. Â
Starting pitcher
Ben Ancheff (2-3) took the loss with
Alejandro Kan coming in to relieve him for the final out in the fifth. Â
Alex Viera allowed just one hit over three shutout innings to finish the game on the mound for the Bobcats.
The conference series resumes tomorrow in Lakeland.
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