WINTER PARK, Fla. (April 4, 2014) - The Rollins
baseball team dropped a 5-3 decision to the Florida Tech Panthers
Friday night at Alfond Stadium in Sunshine State Conference
action.
Rollins falls to an overall record of 13-18 and mark of 1-12 in
the SSC, while Florida Tech improves to 20-16 and 4-9 in league
play.
Rollins senior Eric
Morse (1-4) was tagged with the loss in 7.2 innings. The
right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits, while striking out
three and walking one.
FIT starter Jerrod Leinhauser (4-3) earned the win in 7.0
innings of work. Leinhauser gave up all three Rollins runs and
scattered six hits. Brett Porter stepped in to close out the game
and picked up the save in 2.0 innings. Porter (3 SV) did not allow
a run or walk, but gave up two hits.
Freshman Peter
Nicoletto registered three of the Tars' eight team hits. The
center fielder also scored one run. Evan
Rivera notched two hits with one stolen base.
Tyler
Fairbanks went 1-for-4 on the night with three RBI and a stolen
base.
The Tars took an early lead over the Panthers Friday night as
they scored a pair of runs in the opening frame. Tyler
Fairbanks laced a ball through the left side that drove in Peter
Nicoletto and Christian
Coburn.
In the bottom third, Rollins added another run. With one out,
Hunter
Mayfield hit a ball into right center for a triple. A grounder
to second by Fairbanks drove in Mayfield to give the Tars a 3-1
lead.
FIT tied the score in the top fourth with two runs and took the
lead in the top fifth. The Panthers added an insurance run in the
top ninth to cap the scoring.
Austin Allen and Brad Jones led the Panthers with two hits
each.
Rollins will conclude the three-game series on Saturday, April 5
with first pitch set for 3 p.m. Prior to first pitch, Rollins will
recognize the 2004 College World Series team.