LAKELAND, Fla. – Thomas University softball held a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth, but No. 17 Southeastern University scored three to earn the 5-3 Sun Conference victory Tuesday at SEU Softball Field.
 
Thomas falls to 12-15 overall and 3-7 in the Sun Conference while SEU improves to 19-9, 9-1.
 
In the bottom of the first inning, SEU had a double steal of second base and home to plate the Fire's first run of the game.
 
After three scoreless innings, TU scored after base hits from Elizabeth Soto and Hailie Stewart, then a fielding error on an infield grounder by Grace Hodges that plated Soto. TU stranded Stewart and Hodges to tie the score at one.
 
SEU took the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, the Fire reached on a fielding error, then a double to left plated the team's second run of the game.
 
With one out in the top of the sixth, Addyson Mauldin drew a walk, then Jaelynn Vialpando sent a two-run homer to left, giving Thomas the 3-2 edge. The home run was Vialpando's second of the season.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, a fielding error allowed SEU's leadoff batter onto the basepath. Then a double to left put two runners on. A pair of errors on a sac bunt allowed two runs to score and put SEU ahead, 5-3, for good.
 
Stewart went 2-for-3 in the game at the plate and both Holly Campbell and Hodges tallied a stolen base.
 
Amber Griffin pitched all 6.0 innings for Thomas, striking out one and allowing five hits and three earned runs.
 
The Night Hawks and Fire face off again Wednesday in a double header that begins at 1 p.m. in Lakeland, Fla.