WINTER PARK, FL (March 20, 2021)- The Tars took on Lynn in the final two games of their Sunshine State Conference series, this time facing off in Winter Park. Rollins earned the sweep, dominating game one, 9-0, before walking off with a 5-4 win in game two. Rollins remains perfect on the year, improving to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in SSC play. The Fighting Knights remain winless, falling to 0-8, and 0-6 against SSC competition.
Game 1: Rollins 9, Lynn 0
Ashley Troutman got the Tars started with a walk to lead off the first inning. She advanced to third on a Lynn error, leaving the Tars in good position, with no outs and a runner in scoring position.
Ashley Worrell would hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Troutman and getting the Tars on the board.
Lynn would fight back with an early walk and hit in the top of the second. Worrell found a timely strikeout and some good defense behind her to get out of the inning unscathed.
Reagan Raley got, what would end up becoming, a massive second inning started for the Tars with a single to center field.
Cynthia Whitty had a good eye, and was able to draw a walk, advancing Raley to second. When the top of the order came back around, Troutman did not waste any time, hitting a homerun and blowing the game open for the Tars, giving them a 4-0 lead.
Chelsea Peace followed her teammate with a towering solo shot, giving Rollins back-to-back homeruns. Lynn changed pitchers, but the hot bats continued with a third consecutive long ball, this time off the bat of Ashely Worrell. This would bring the tally to 6-0 after two innings.
After a pair of Tars got on base, with only one out in the third, a
Lexi Moore single to left field sparked another Tars' rally.
Reagan Raley scored on the play, while Cythia Whitty advanced to third. Whitty then came across the plate on Troutman ground out.
Chelsea Peace capped the scoring with another RBI, slapping a single that plated Moore, giving the Tars a commanding, 9-0, lead.
Ashley Worrell dominated in the circle, winning her fourth game of the year. She allowed five hits and threw two strikeouts in five innings. With the win, the Hagerty High School graduate set a Rollins record, winning 19 consecutive decisions.
Game 2: Rollins 5, Lynn 4
The final game of the series was a nail biter. The Fighting Knights were not ready to roll over, scoring twice in the top of the first. Grasy Gomez reached on a fielder's choice allowing Olivia Pope to score. Then teammate Emily Yakel popped a sacrifice fly to right field, pushing Olivia Lovin home.
The Fighting Knights extended their lead in the top of the third, as Danielle Pas hit a solo homerun.
The Tars were down three, but did not let that stop them. Rollins loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, before
Chelsea Peace knocked a clutch double to the left field fence earning three RBI. Troutman,
Grace Germer and
Raiven Bryant all scored. The third frame ended with the score knotted 3-3.
The Tars grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Troutman got Rollins off to a good start with a single to left field.
Chelsea Peace and Worrell drew back-to-back walks, loading the bases.
Taylor Waters stepped up to the plate and hit a timely single to right field, allowing Troutman to score and putting the Tars on top, 4-3.
Lynn was up to bat, and facing the loss, in the top of the seventh inning. Danielle Pas singled through the left side scoring Karlie Sweid and tying the game in the top of the final frame.
With a tied ball game in the bottom of the seventh the Tars were determined to remain undefeated. Rollins quickly loaded the bases with a single, a walk, and a hit by pitch. Then it was
Taylor Waters, who would come up with her second vital contact of the evening, hitting the game winning single over the head of the first baseman, driving home
Chelsea Peace home for the walk off win.
Ali Shenefield pitched in four innings and threw two strikeouts. Worrell came in for three relief innings, winning her fifth game of the season. Worrell tossed two strikeouts and allowed three hits.
UP NEXT:
The Tars travel to Lakeland for another SSC matchup against Florida Southern, Wednesday, March 24. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4:00 p.m.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Rollins Tennis, 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
