LAKELAND, Fla. (February 14, 2007) ' Rollins
answered a Florida Southern comeback with two runs in the top of
the ninth, but the fourth-ranked Moccasins plated two in the bottom
of the inning to hand the Tars a heartbreaking 9-8 defeat on
Wednesday.
Rollins (4-4) was up 6-3 with one out in the eighth, but Florida
Southern (8-0) rattled off four runs in the frame to take a 7-6
lead. The Tars took advantage of a two-out error in the top of the
ninth as Gary Martoccio walked, stole second and scored on a
throwing error to tie the score. Gene Howard then knocked home Cory
Whiting to put the visitors back on top 8-7. Florida Southern then
capped off the wild late inning charge with two runs in the last of
the ninth to pull out the victory.'
Howard led Rollins on the day, going 2-4 with three RBI and a
run scored. Jesse More was 1-2 with a RBI while Martoccio, Whiting,
Phil Hendricks and Ryan Luker all banged out a base hit for the
Tars.
Reliever Michael Eppich (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing two
runs on four hits in one inning of work. Freshman Marc Hewett had a
solid start for the Tars and kept the high powered Mocs offense at
bay, allowing just three runs on five hits while racking up'eight
strikeouts in six innings.
Kyle Patrick swung the big bat for Florida Southern, going 2-3
with five RBI, including the game-winning double, while scoring
twice. Dan Bennett (1-0) recorded the victory, giving up just two
runs on one hit in one and two thirds innings of work.
Rollins will look to bounce back when they begin a three game
home series with Bryant. The first match-up with the Bulldogs will
be Saturday, February 17 at 7 p.m. Game two will be Sunday,
February 18 at 7 p.m. with the finale slated for Monday, February
19 at 2 p.m. All games will be at the Alfond Stadium and can be
heard world-wide on the Tars Sports Network at www.RollinsSports.com.
