LAKELAND, Fla. -- Despite outhitting their hosts, 7-6, the Brandeis University baseball team suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of NAIA squad Southeastern University in the second game of their February break trip to Florida. The Judges fall to 1-1 while the Fire improve to 5-10. 

The Judges opened the scoring in the first inning, when senior LF Nick Cortese (Guaynabo, P.R./Baldwin School of Puerto Rico) singled to lead off the game and came home two batters later on a single to right by junior 1B Dan Gad (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield). Unfortunately, that would be the last run Brandeis would push across the plate, as they hit into three costly double plays in the first five innings. 

Brandeis had a fine pitching effort from six different hurlers. Senior Dylan Britton (Poughquag, N.Y./Arlington) tossed 4.2 innings of four-hit ball with four strikeouts, but was touched up for the game-winning hit in the bottom of the third inning, a two-run home run by Southeastern senior Daniel Mims.

The Judges' top relief appearance was turned in by junior Brian Ing (Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich), who allowed just one baserunner in two innings of work on a walk as the Judges did not allow a runner past first base until the ninth inning. SEU added two key insurance runs in the eighth on a two-out, two-run double by Bryan Muniz off of sophomore Kyle Brenner (Brookfield, Mass./St. Peter-Marian). 

Brandeis did not have any multiple hitters as seven different players batted safely. They also drew five walks, with senior catcher Chris Ferro (Walpole, Mass./Walpole), sophomore 2B Tom McCarthy (Yonkers, N.Y./Fieldston School) and rookie CF Liam O'Connor (Avon, Conn./Avon) each reaching base by both hit and walk. 

The Judges are off tomorrow before playing three straight games against Augustana (Ill.) as part of the Russ Matt Tournament. The Judges took one of three from the Vikings in 2012.