Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (May 11, 2012) - After the
skies opened up on Thursday afternoon to halt the Tars' final
doubleheader conference series of the season, Rollins continued
with play on Friday and split the double dip with the Nova
Southeastern Sharks falling 6-3 in game one and taking game two by
a score of 8-5 at the NSU Baseball Complex.
Freshman Brett
Mueller got the start for the Tars and went 2.0 innings to
receive the no-decision. It was senior right-hander Mike
Herrmann (4-5) who was saddled with the loss giving up two runs
on one hit while issuing six walks and striking out one. Herrmann
entered the game with Rollins up 2-1 in the bottom of the
third.
After Rollins was unable to push a run across in the top of the
first, Greg
Smith put the Tars up 2-1 in the top of the second as he hit
his fourth home run of the season, driving in Brandon
Curson.
NSU starter Zachary Westcott pitched 2.1 and also received the
no-decision for the Sharks. Vinnie Contaldi came in to pitch in
relief and earned the win in 6.2 innings. Contaldi allowed one run
on five hits and struck out four while walking three.
Westcott's only run of the game came in the ninth as Rollins
scored their only other run on a groundout by Smith. Hunter
Mayfield scored the Tars' final run after lacing a ball through
the left side and then advancing to third on a ball up the middle
by Curson.
Curson led the Tars at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance with
one run while Smith was 1-for-4 with one run, a home run and three
RBI.
Despite a slow start in game two, Rollins was able to bounce
back for an 8-5 victory. A three-run fifth inning propelled
Rollins past NSU, 5-3.
The Sharks slowly chipped away at the Tars' lead as they scored
back-to-back runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take the game
into extra-innings with the score tied at 5-all.
In the top of the eighth, Rollins plated three runs on four hits
to take an 8-5 lead and the eventual win. After Brian
Lattanzi flew out to center, Kevin
Mager got things started for Rollins with a one-out single to
right. Sean
Reilly followed with a base hit to left that placed Mager on
second. Mayfield recorded the second out of the inning, but did
not deter the Tars' momentum. A wild pitch from Mauricio Rodriguez
put Reilly and Mager in scoring position while an intentional walk
to Curson loaded the bases. Steve
Betcherman then hit a ball up the middle to score Mager and
Reilly. Curson scored the final run of the inning on a ball to
right center from Brett
Flutie.
Right-hander Garrett
Yount (3-2) picked up the win for Rollins in 1.2 innings of
work while Mauricio Rodriguez took the loss for the Sharks in 1.0
inning of work. Yount recorded one strikeout in his third win of
the season.
Rollins will wrap up the 2012 regular season Saturday, May 12
against the Nova Southeastern Sharks in the rubber match. First
pitch is set for 10 a.m.
