MATCH-UP:
Rollins (0-0) Vs. Young Harris (0-0)
WHERE:
Winter Park, Fla. – Alfond Stadium
WHEN:
Friday, February 2, 2017 - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 3, 2017 - 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 4, 2017 - 12:00 p.m.
COVERAGE:
Watch
Live Stats
SET-UP:
Rollins is set to begin their 2018 campaign against the Young Harris Mountain Lions at Alfond Stadium for a three-game series. Tars finished last season 27-23, and seventh in the Sunshine State Conference while Young Harris tallied a 15-30 overall record, going 7-17 in the Peach Belt Conference.
TRACKING THE TARS:
Rollins welcomes 11 newcomers to the squad, while they will be returning 21 players from a year ago, including 11 seniors. Seniors Grant Ashline, Nick Breen and Brian Brooker will look to pace the Tars offensively. Ashline was named SSC offensive player of the week last season, and was named to the 2016 All-SSC second team. Breen, a senior from Debary, Florida played in all 50 games last year, recording 10 doubles, one triple, two home runs, and drove in 34 scores. Brooker had himself a solid junior campaign as well, tallying 10 doubles, seven home runs, and 26 RBI.
On the mound, the Tars return 11 familiar faces from a year ago. Among those returners are Brad Case, Caleb Jakes, and AJ Chacon. Both Case and Jakes were tabbed National College Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-South Region Team members. Case earned First Team honors after his stellar sophomore season. The Pelham, N.Y. native pitched 90 innings, while dishing 102 strikeouts, which ranked him second among SSC pitchers. Jakes appeared in 21 games for the Tars, while holding batters to a 2.52 ERA. The righty pitched in 60.2 innings, and recorded 65 strikeouts to go along with four wins on the year. Chacon will look to build on his successful freshman season, where he acquired Second Team All-SSC honors for his efforts. The lefty made 17 appearances for the Tars, and led the team with six wins.
TRACKING THE MOUNTAIN LIONS:
Behind first year coach Stephen Waggener, the Mountain Lions will be looking to improve on their 15-30 overall record from a year ago.
In the batter's box, Young Harris will look to lean on seniors Tyler Washington, and Royce Woolfolk. Washington made 39 appearances for the purple and white last season, while tallying 33 starts, six doubles, two home runs, and 24 RBI. Woolfork made 25 starts for the Mountain Lions, registering eight doubles, 10 RBI, and went over the wall once.
Young Harris's Michael Livingston was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region second team. The right-handed pitcher was the top pitcher for the Mountain Lions in 2017, going 6-3. He also compiled a 3,19 ERA in 12 appearances on the mound, and dished out 82 strikeouts with just 18 walks in 84.2 innings pitched.
NOTES:
·Rollins opened up their 2017 season facing Young Harris as well, sweeping the Mountain Lions, 3-0
·The Tars are 8-4 all-time vs. Young Harris
·Head Coach Jon Sjogren is 321-299-3 in his 13th season at the helm
NEXT:
Rollins will continue their 2018 campaign on Friday, February 9 at 5 p.m. when they travel to Pensacola, Florida to take on West Florida in a three-game series.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Rollins baseball team, fans can visit RollinsSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest #TARnation news by following Rollins Sports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
