Melbourne, Fla. (April 26, 2017) - A fast-paced
pitcher's duel broke out between Rollins and Florida Tech, but the
late innings belonged to FIT as the Tars dropped a 5-1 decision in
the Sunshine State Conference series opener between the two
teams.
Senior Christopher
Corbett steered Rollins (24-18, 8-11 SSC) offensively on the
night, going 3-4 from the plate with three singles. Mike
Dolan drove in the lone run for the Tars, with his sixth home
run on the year in the top of the ninth. Eight different players
recorded at least one hit in the game, but the Tars were unable to
capitalize, leaving 10 batters on base.
Reid Neal and Nick Capra led the Panthers (26-16, 10-6 SSC)
offensively. Neal batted 1-2, with an RBI. Capra went 1-3, with a
RBI and a run scored. As a team, the Panthers only managed six
hits, but scored five runs.
Sophomore Brad
Case returned to the Tars rotation and got the start. He
pitched the majority of the game, going for 7 innings and scattered
four hits, two runs scored, and 10 strikeouts. Case picked up the
loss, bringing him to 5-5 on the season, with 12 total appearances.
Whit
Drennan came in as a relief for the final inning of play, and
gave up two hits as well as three runs, however none of them were
earned due to errors and a passed ball.
For the Panthers, Andy Marzheuser picked up the win on the hill,
pitching eight innings and allowing eight hits and no runs. The
Cincinnati native also dished out nine strikeouts in a winning
effort, his sixth of the season. Colin Cristello came in as a
relief for the last inning, allowing two hits and Dolan's
homer.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• For the first six innings of play, it was a pitcher's duel
between Case and Marzheuser, with neither one giving up a single
run.
• The Panthers finally made the breakthrough in the bottom
of the seventh inning, when they scored two runs to take the lead
over the Tars, 2-0.
• The Panthers made sure that if the Tars were going to
comeback, it would have to take something special, as they put up
three more runs against the Tars in the bottom of the eighth
increasing their lead to 5-0.
• The Tars were able to finally get on the board and made
things a little interesting as Mike
Dolan got the inning started off with a solo shot home run,
however, the Panthers still led 5-1.
• Finishing off the Tars was Cristello for the Panthers
ensuring they took a 1-0 series lead over the Tars, 5-1.
NOTES:
• Rollins still leads the all-time series versus Florida
Tech, 73-61-1
• Peter
Nicoletto still sits with 25th career
triples, tying the SSC all-time record.
• With ten strikeouts in game one vs. Florida Tech, Case
now ranks first in the SSC with 85
NEXT:
The Tars will return to Florida Tech for game two of their series
on April 27, 2017. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
The Fans can follow all the action live on the Geico Tars Sports
Network at RollinsSports.com.
