WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 17, 2011) - Rollins
rallied late in the game to tie the score in the bottom of the
eighth, but gave up the winning run in the top of the ninth to
suffer an 8-7 heartbreaker to the Columbia Lions Thursday night at
Alfond Stadium.
Off to a sluggish start, Rollins (16-8) went scoreless through
the first five innings, but scored in three consecutive frames to
come back and even the score at eight in the bottom of the
eighth.
Columbia (7-3) scattered runs throughout the first, fourth,
fifth, and eighth, while scoring the winning run in the top of the
ninth after pinch runner Nick Cox stole second and scored on an
Aaron Silbar RBI single.
Kevin Mager started things off for Rollins in the sixth as he
blasted a two-run homer driving in Zach Persky. Sean Reilly and
Nick Adams scored the following runs in the seventh. Reilly
singled and advanced to second on a Chris Holloway sac bunt then
scored on a Nick Adams double. Adams then scored on a throwing
error by Columbia third baseman Eric Williams to tie the score at
four.
The Lions, who went scoreless in back-to-back innings, answered
back with three more runs in the top of the eighth to take a 7-4
lead over Rollins.
Columbia relief pitcher Joey Gandolfo found himself in a bind in
the bottom half of the inning after loading the bases on
back-to-back walks and a single up the middle. With Tony Brunetti,
Kevin Mager, and John Avanzino on the bases, Gandolfo gave up his
third walk of the inning scoring Brunetti from third. Ricky Kleban
was then put in to replace Gandolfo with bases loaded once again.
Kleban managed to retire his first batter faced, but hit designated
hitter Greg Smith to score Rollins' second run of the inning. Josh
Band, who pinch ran for Avanzino, scored the final run on a Nick
Adams RBI single.
Rollins made use of its bullpen using three arms. Starting
pitcher Mike Howard lasted 3 2/3 innings giving up six hits and
three Columbia runs to receive the no decision. Adam Ogburn (1-1)
took the loss giving up four runs on three hits.
Kevin Mager and Nick Adams were the only Tars to notch multiple
hits with Mager finishing 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs, along
with a home run - his second on the season. Adams was 2-for-4 with
a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
Rollins will be back in action on Friday, March 18 as the Tars
near the end of their non-conference slate. The Tars will host the
UMass.-Lowell Riverhawks with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. For
live action of the Tars, check out the Tars Sports Network at
RollinsSports.com.
