WINTER PARK, FLA. (March 2, 2020)- Fourth-ranked Rollins twice needed extra innings, but kept its perfect record intact, beating Wilmington University in a nonconference doubleheader Monday night.
The Tars (19-0) squeezed out an 8-7 win in nine innings to open the day and scored a 6-5, nine-inning win in the night cap. The Wildcats fell to 0-4 on the young season.
RECAP: Rollins 8, Wilmington 7 (9 innings)
After going up 5-0 after two, the Tars saw WU come all the way back and force extra innings before ultimately grabbing an 8-7 win.
Ali Shenefield registered her eighth win of the season. She relieved starter Ashley Worrell in the third inning. Shenefield pitched in six innings with nine strikeouts and limited Wilmington to just two hits.
Ashley Troutman hit 3-5 with two runs, one RBI and a stolen base. Ashley Worrell went 2-4 at the plate with two runs, two RBIs, and a home run. The Tars had a total of 10 hits and seven RBIs.
Rollins wasted no time in scoring, hanging three runs in bottom of the first and two in the second inning. Tyler Jo Colby pushed Worrell and Troutman across the with a two-RBI single. Reagan Raley bunted in Chelsea Peace for a 3-0 lead after one. In the bottom of the second the Tars kept the bats rolling with Worrell hitting a two run home run to give Rollins a solid 5-0 lead.
The Wildcats clapped back in the top of the third scoring five runs to tie the game (5-5)
In the bottom of the fifth, Talia Kentoffio scored the Tars sixth run from a wild pitch to put the Tars back on top, and was followed by single to second base from Troutman, scoring Waters.
Top of the sixth, Lauren Lopez ripped a two-out single and scored two to knot the score 7-7.
There were three scoreless innings until the Tars loaded the bases with no outs. Waters provided the big hit with a sac fly that scored Kentoffio and gave Rollins the win.
RECAP: Rollins 6, Wilmington 5 (9 innings)
Ali Shenefield picked up her second victory of the day, scattering six hits and two run in eight innings in the circle. Worrell started the game and was chased after the first, surrendering three runs on three hits.
The Tars had 11 hits in the final game of the day. Troutman hit 3-5 with one run and one RBI. Taylor Waters provided fireworks by hitting 2-3 with two runs, and two RBIs. Chelsea Peace went 1-4 with one run, two RBIs and a homerun.
Rollins trailed the game early, posting three runs early in the game. Kiana Broderson- Jones hit a double to left field, scoring two. She was brought on an Annie Davilia to give WU a 3-0 lead. The Wildcats got another in the top of the second to jump ahead 4-0.
Tars got the bats rolling in the bottom of the second with Waters hitting a two-RBI single, scoring Ashley Grimanelis and Talia Kentoffio. Troutman later knocked an RBI single to cut the Wildcats lead in half.
In the fifth, Lopez came up big for WU with an RBI single and put the visitors from Delaware up 5-3.
Peace was not going to let the Wildcats off so easily, ripping a huge two-run homer toward the scoreboard in left to tie the score 5-5.
Neither team could capitalize on chances the next two innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Cynthia Whitty led off with a single and was followed by base hits from Waters and Troutman to load the bases. Worrell then sent the home crowed home happy with a double to right, scoring Waters for the game winner.
The Tars are back on their home field Tuesday, March 3 against Adelphi for a doubleheader, first pitch is set for 5 p.m. For the latest news, updates, and information on the Rollins softball 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.
