FMU Upset-Minded Heading Into Weekend Series At No. 2 Southeastern

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (13-20, 6-15) at No. 2 Southeastern Fire (34-4, 12-3)
When: Friday-Saturday, April 16-17
Where: Southeastern University, Lakeland, Fla. | Ted A. Broer Stadium
First Pitch: Friday, 6:30 p.m. | Saturday, 12 p.m.
Last Meeting: Apr. 6, 2019, Loss 1-7
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Even though its season hasn't gone the most ideal path, Florida Memorial University's baseball team could earn what would be a "signature" win this weekend when it travels to Lakeland, Florida to take on No. 2 Southeastern University for a three-game weekend series at Ted A. Broer Stadium.

The Lions, who earned an extra day of rest this week after its Tuesday single-game against non-conference rival Florida National University was canceled, will face off against the Fire in a single game Friday at 6:30 p.m. then play a doubleheader on Saturday – beginning at 12 noon.

Southeastern University's fan attendance policy does allow for visiting fans to attend baseball games – with the stipulation of wearing a face covering during the entire visit to the campus. A live stream and live statistics from the game will be available and can be viewed for free.

Florida Memorial (13-20, 6-15 The Sun Conference) enters this weekend's series feeling as though it "let one get away" from its series against Warner University this past weekend. After taking the first game, the Lions dropped a head-shaker – falling 14-13 to the Royals in the second game. FMU took an early lead in the third game but Warner University had an offensive surge in the middle innings and took game three 11-5.

Success for Florida Memorial remains tautly tied to the success of its pitching staff. When the Lions have received any kind of positive effort from the mound, they've looked like a team that can topple just about any team sitting in the opposing dugout.

Senior Rafael Fernandez, working as the ace of FMU's pitching staff since Johnaikel Acosta has been shut down for the remainder of the season, has had stellar performances in his past two games toeing the slab – series-opening wins against Warner this past week and against No. 14 St. Thomas University two weeks ago.

Even if FMU's pitching and defense grade out at a high level this weekend, it will still have a tough task trying to topple No. 2 Southeastern. The Fire (34-4, 12-3) have looked like every bit of what their top ranking would suggest. In its four losses the season, SEU has only been outscored be a total of 8 runs.

Also, while Southeastern won its weekend series this past weekend, it will be coming into this weekend's series having been topped by University of South Carolina-Beaufort in the third game and will surely want to avoid losing consecutive games for the first time this season.

Naturally pitching will be key, but an increased offensive output could be a strategic option for FMU head coach Florentino Burgos.

Zachary Urso, who's been in the starting lineup for the past handful of series', hit his first home run of the season this past weekend; Jalen Young has had a solid bat for much of the year; Yunior Sanchez has fared well as the team's cleanup hitter; and Rohandry Javier has been productive lead-off hitter and base runner for the Lions – and that'll need to continue against the Fire.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Johnaikel Acosta: RHP; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#19 Rafael Fernandez: LHP; 5' 9"; Senior

#1 Rohandry Javier: INF; 5' 8"; Junior

#22 Yunior Sanchez: UTL; 5' 10"; Junior

#8 Zachary Urso: INF; 5' 9"; Junior

#27 Jalen Young: OF/LHP; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#14 Johnaikel Acosta
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: RHP

#19 Rafael Fernandez
: 5' 9"; Senior
: LHP

#1 Rohandry Javier
: 5' 8"; Junior
: INF

#22 Yunior Sanchez
: 5' 10"; Junior
: UTL

#8 Zachary Urso
: 5' 9"; Junior
: INF

#27 Jalen Young
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: OF/LHP

Florida Memorial University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned