WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 1, 2012) - After
making quick work of the Trojans of Mount Olive College in game
one, 8-0 in five innings, the Tars secured the sweep with a 4-3 win
in game two in walk off fashion thanks to a two run home run by
senior Monica Meadows.
Rollins jumped on the scoreboard early in game one, erupting for
four runs in the bottom of the first. After the Tars loaded the
bases courtesy of a Aimee Halpin single, a Hope Bitzer walk and a Meredith Foster single, senior Lawna Hunter came to bat with two outs.
Hunter ripped a bases clearing double down the right field line
to open the scoring. Hunter then came around to score on a Shelby Walters double to make it 4-0 in favor of
Rollins after one.
The Tars would plate another three runs pushing the lead to 7-0
in the third highlighted by a two run double by junior Hannah Lovestrand, scoring Walters and Foster.
After another scoreless half from the Trojans in the fourth, a
Meadows solo shot in the bottom of the inning extended the lead to
8-0.
Bitzer (6-2) shut down Mount Olive in the fifth to end the game
in a run rule and earn the victory, giving up just two hits in five
innings pitched. Junior Christie Wright (2-4) took the loss for the
Trojans, giving up seven runs on eight hits in just over two
innings of work.
Game two was a completely different story as starters Amye
McIntyre for Rollins and Lauren Smith for Mount Olive traded zeros
until the fourth in a pitcher's duel.
McIntyre retired the first two batters in the fourth but the
Trojans loaded the bases courtesy of back to back walks and a
single, bringing up junior Rebekah McDaniel with two outs.
McDaniel laced a double to the base of the wall in right center
that scored two giving Mount Olive their first lead of the day at
2-0. The Trojans would add another in the frame on a RBI infield
single by freshman Ragan Taylor extending the lead to 3-0 after
four.
Being no-hit through five, the Tars bats finally woke up in the
sixth. Halpin led off the inning with a single to left, breaking up
Smith's no hitter, followed by an Alred walk and a Meadows single,
loading the bases for Bitzer.
Bitzer would draw the bases loaded walk, forcing in Halpin for
the Tars' first run. Rollins would add another when Hunter was hit
by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in Alred to pull the Tars
within one, 3-2, heading to the seventh.
McIntyre squashed a Mount Olive threat in the top half of the
inning, stranding two Trojan baserunners, bringing Rollins to bat
in the seventh down one with just three outs left to play.
Smith retired Alred on a fly out to left after a one out single
to Halpin, bringing up Meadows with a runner on first and two
outs.
After fouling off numerous offerings from Smith, Meadows
connected on an inside fastball and sent it deep over the fence in
left to score Halpin to end the game and secure the double header
sweep.
McIntyre (5-1) went the distance to earn the win, giving up
three runs on three hits while fanning seven. Smith (7-3) took the
loss, giving up four runs on four hits.
Rollins will be back in action Friday, Mar. 2nd at
home in a double header against No. 1 Alabama-Huntsville with first
pitch slated for 6:00pm. Fans can follow all the action live on the
Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com.
