WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 24, 2017) -
Rollins allowed two first-inning runs, which proved to be the
difference as the Tars fell to Florida Tech 3-1 to open a home
three-game, Sunshine State Conference set.
The Tars (22-14) had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of
the seventh, but couldn't push the winning run across.
Brianne
Lint hit 2-3, including a double, with a run scored to lead
Rollins at the plate. Hailee
Keisling, Sarah
Harrison and Chandler
Middlebrook also had base knocks for the Tars.
Florida Tech (17-17) scattered its offensive production with six
different players getting one-hit each. Makayla Palmer drove in a
run and Julianna Goldberg went 1-4 with an RBI double.
Sarah
Piening took the loss in the circle for the Tars, surrendering
three runs on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Rachel
Pence earned the victory for Tech, allowing five hits and one
unearned run while fanning six.
Rollins and Florida Tech will meet in an SSC doubleheader at MLK
Jr. Park on Saturday, March 25 with game one starting at 1 p.m.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• FIT jumped on the Tars early with two runs in the first.
Alexus Smith drew a lead-off walk and eventually scored on a
Vanessa Rubio fielder's choice. Hailey Leonard added the second
run, scoring after a Palmer strikeout.
• Rollins put two on the second off a Lint single and FIT
error, but both were left stranded.
• The Tars kept Tech off the board and continued to get
runners on base, but couldn't get the big hit. Rollins left seven
on base in the third through sixth innings.
• Tech added a run in the top of the fifth on a Goldberg
RBI double that scored Rachel Kraak.
• Rollins made a rally in the last of the seventh, with Sarah
Harrison and Chandler
Middlebrook each getting singles to lead things off. After a
Reed fielder's choice and steal, Lint was walked to load the bases.
Rachel
Minier struck out and Abigail
Sexton battled to a nine-pitch at bat, fouling off the last six
pitches before eventually fouling out to the shortstop and ending
the game.
NOTES:
• Rollins drops to 51-48 all-time against Florida Tech.
• Hailee
Keisling is just one hit away from fourth on the Tars all-time
list with 204.
• Chelsea
Reed is now 11-of-11 in stolen bases.
• Rollins is second in the SSC with 63 stolen bases.
• Michelle
Frew is now 764-315-1 in her 22nd season leading the Tars.
NEXT:
The Tars and Panthers will play two at MLK Jr. Park on Saturday,
March 25. First pitch for game one is set for 1 p.m. Fans can
follow all the action live on the Geico Tars Sports Network at
RollinsSports.com.
