TAMPA, FLA. (April 26, 2019) – Rollins had its chances, but left 11 runners stranded in an 8-3 loss to third-ranked Tampa on Friday.
The Tars drop to 24-17; 11-11 in Sunshine State Conference play and Tampa improves 31-11; 14-8 SSC. Rollins came into the game ranked No. 10 in the South Region ranking and looking to play its way into the NCAA postseason.
Luke Reidy lead the Tars on offense, going 3-4 and an RBI. Brendan Brundage hit 2-4 and Jack Gonzalez used a two-RBI double in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to 20 games.
Cameron Enck took the loss on the hill, pitching in five innings and allowing seven runs with six strikeouts. Anthony Trovato, James Hoelle and Kyle Bachle also pitched.
For the Spartans, Drew Ehrhard went 2-4 at the plate with a double and three RBIs. Stevie Mangrum had a two-run homer in the sixth. Hurler Keven Pimentel earned his ninth win of the season, throwing seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts.
Pimentel had the Tars number early with Rollins getting just two hits over the first four innings.
Tampa opened things up with a five-run fourth inning and tacked on another pair in the sixth on Mangrum's homer to post a 7-0 advantage.
After going down 8-0, Rollins began to get guys on base and started to rally.
Nick Santucci led off the inning with a single. The Tars later had two on with one out when Gonzalez smoked a double to right center, plating Hintz and Ben Johnston. Reidy followed with a single that scored Gonzalez and got Rollins to within 8-3. However, that would close scoring for the Tars as they took a series-opening loss.
The series continues with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, April 27 in Tampa.
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