FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (March 18, 2011)- The
Rollins softball team collected another important victory in their
quest to defend their Sunshine State Conference title with a 2-0
victory over the Nova Southeastern Sharks, Friday evening. The
Tars improve to 4-0 in conference and 23-1 overall with the
victory.
Pitching sensation Hope
Bitzer kept the Sharks offense at bay with a stellar effort in
the circle. Bitzer collected another shutout and more impressively
held the Sharks hitless through seven innings of work. She
collected seven strikeouts and only allowed three walks on the
evening.
The Tars were able to get just enough offensive production to
come away with the win. Krista
Rodden supplied two hits, while Christine
Roser, Lawna
Hunter and Meredith
Foster all tallied hits for the Tars.
Shark pitcher Sarah DeMuth gave a gutsy performance, but was not
enough to claim the victory as Rollins received late game heroics
yet again. On the evening, DeMuth tallied nine strikeouts, while
only allowing one walk.
Rollins broke through on the scoreboard in the top half of the
sixth inning after Roser and Rodden both reached on singles. Roser
was lifted in favor of a pinch runner, Brittney
Pumpelly to give the Tars speed on the bases. Pumpelly advanced
to second after Rodden's single and then was able to move to third
on a pass ball.
Bitzer was due up next and layed down a bunt and was able to
reach on the fielder's choice, advancing to second on the throw,
which allowed Pumpelly to score and sent Rodden to third. Veronica
Alred also entered the game as a pinch runner for Rodden and
was able to come around and score on a Jessica
Moreland sacrifice fly.
Two runs would be all the cushion the Tars would need to close
things out in the bottom half of the seventh inning as Bitzer
closed the door on the Sharks to preserve the win.
The Tars and Sharks will finish with a doubleheader tomorrow,
starting at 1 p.m as both teams look to claim the series
victory.
Fans check out RollinsSports.com for all the latest news and
information on Rollins athletics.
