Torres Slams Tars Past Mocs

LAKELAND, Fla. (March 28, 2021) - Adams Torres delivered in a big way for the Tars on Sunday, launching a grand slam in the 9th inning to lead Rollins past Florida Southern by a score of 6-5.

After the first two innings went scoreless, the Mocs were able to get on the board in the bottom of the third inning thanks to a Zach Scott two-run double that scored Dylan Costa and Vaun Brown. Rollins was able to tie things up in the top of the fifth when Drew Howard showcased his power stroke with a home run to left center that scored himself and Joe Cosgrove to tie the game. 

The Mocs reclaimed the lead in the sixth inning when Tor Sehnert homered, and Vaun Brown scored Connor Berry on a sac fly to make it 4-2. Relief picthers Thomas Spinelli and Kyle Bachle swapped scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth innings to lead to a drama-filled ninth. 

Jake Rolly, in his first start of the year, singled ot lead off the inning. After a strikeout, Parker Smith pinch-hit, and also singled to put two runners on for the Tars. Kyle Bullock then drew a walk to load the bases. Florida Southern thought they were out of danger when they managed to make Nick Santucci, the Tars' hottest hitter, to fly out to left field. However, the stage was now set for junior Adams Torres. The infielder, who missed all of last week's games due to injury, certainly looked healthy when he launched a Spinelli fastball over the fence for a grand slam that gave Rollins a 6-4 lead. 

The bottom of the ninth was not a smooth ending for the Tars. A leadoff walk, wild pitch, and RBI single from Jacob Teter made it a one run game for Southern. After a second single put two runners on, head coach Jon Sjogren made a switch to Austin Long out of the bullpen. The former Indiana Hoosier was able to induce a flyout to center and groundout to third to end the game and secure the win for Rollins. 

Torres and Rolly each had two hits on the day to lead the Tars' offense. Kyle Bachle earned the win out of the bullpen with 2.1 innings of work in which he scattered three hits, allowed one run, and struck out four. Nathan Madej was very good for Southern as the starting pitcher, striking out nine in 6.1 innings of work. 

Next up for the Tars is a three-game series against SSC rival Saint Leo, beginning at home on Wednesday evening. 

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