MELBOURNE, Fla. (February 25, 2011) - Rollins
used a three-run fifth to take them past the Florida Tech Panthers
in the Sunshine State Conference opener as the Tars won 8-6 Friday
afternoon at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field.
Starting pitcher Garrett Yount (3-0) and closer Matt White (S,1)
combined for 10 strikeouts as Yount received the winning nod with
six innings of work on the hill and five strikeouts. White fanned
five in three innings of work and earned the save. Both pitchers
struck out the side with Yount retiring the Panthers 1-2-3 in the
fifth and White in the seventh.
Brian Lattanzi paced the Tars (9-2) with three hits, as did
Kevin Mager. Lattanzi added three RBI, one run scored and a
double, while Mager scored four runs. Catcher Sean Reilly added a
2-for-5 plate appearance with an RBI and a run.
Rollins found themselves trailing 6-2 in the bottom of the third
after starting pitcher Garrett Yount gave up a three-run homer. The
Tars were able to take back a run in the fourth on a RBI single by
Max Pavy scoring Kevin Mager from third after Florida Tech (8-5)
starter Jonathan Cornelius loaded the bases.
Scoring three consecutive runs, Rollins knotted up the score at
six runs apiece in the top of the fifth. Tony Brunetti started
things off as he reached on a walk and advanced to second on a
Mager single. Brunetti then scored on a RBI double by Sean Reilly
for the first run of the inning. Kevin Mager then scored the tying
run after Brian Lattanzi doubled down the right field line also
driving in Sean Reilly on the play.
Rollins also scored a pair of runs in the seventh with Tony
Brunetti and Kevin Mager scoring. After the Panthers three-run
third, the Rollins pitching staff kept the Panthers scoreless
through six innings.
Despite being outhit 12-9, Rollins took advantage of three
Panther miscues that led to a pair of runs in the second frame.
Panther's relief pitcher Ronnie Oelerich took the loss for
Florida Tech with 3 2/3 innings on the mound. FIT first baseman
Jimmie Koch was the Panthers top performer as he finished 3-for-4
with three RBIs and a pair of runs.
Rollins will close out the weekend conference series with
Florida Tech tomorrow afternoon as the Tars take to the field at 12
noon. For live action of the Tars, check out
RollinsSports.com.
