WINTER PARK, Fla. (May 4, 2012) - After a
back-and-forth battle through much of the series opener against
Florida Southern, Rollins was unable to fend off the Mocs as FSC
pulled through with the upset and defeated the Tars 8-7 Friday
night at Alfond Stadium.
The Tars (27-18, 8-11 SSC) held a two-run cushion through the
fifth and sixth innings but allowed Florida Southern to chip away
at their lead and eventually take a one-run lead in the top of the
eighth. Pinch hitter Michael Anthony and Colin Kish scored the
tying and leading runs in the eighth on a two-RBI single by Jimmy
Correnti.
Rollins was able to tie the score in the home half of the inning
on a solo home run by Kevin
Mager. Mager's home run was his second of the season and the
second of the contest. In the bottom of the fourth, Boston
Langley blasted a three-run bomb over the left center wall
driving in Mager and Sean
Reilly to take a 5-4 lead.
After the 7-7 tie in the bottom of the eighth, a costly Rollins
error on a two-out single in the top of the ninth plated the
winning run allowing Keith Curcio to score. The Tars were unable
to make a comeback as FSC closer Nate Carter took Rollins down in
order with two strikeouts to pick up his ninth save of the
season.
Mocs reliever Matt Fuglesang earned the win in 3.0 innings of
work as he struck out three and allowed just one earned run. His
counterpart, Mike
Howard was charged with the loss in 2.0 innings of work. The
right-handed senior gave up one earned run on three hits.
Josh
Band led all Rollins hitters with three hits as he was a home
run shy of hitting for the cycle. He also scored a pair of runs
and stole one bag. Mager and Langley each had two hits each, while
Langely drove in three runs for the fourth time this season.
Florida Southern was led by Kish at the plate as the right
fielder was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.
Rollins wraps up their final home series of the season against
the Moccasins with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday
will also serve as Senior/Family Day. Rollins will honor 12
student-athletes for their hard work and dedication on and off the
field with family batting practice set to begin at 9:30 a.m.
