FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 9, 2021) - The Rollins Tars dropped the series opener against the Nova Southeastern Sharks on Friday evening, losing 11-6.
The Tars jumped out to an early lead in the top half of the first when
Jack Gonzalez drove in
Adams Torres on a sac fly to make it 1-0. The lead would be short-lived however, as Nova was able to strike for a pair in the bottom half thanks to a two-run home run from Adan Fernandez. They would add another in the second inning on a Tyler Epstein single to make it 3-0.
Innings three and four were quiet for both teams, but the Tars ran out of luck in the fifth inning. The Sharks exploded for seven runs in the frame on five hits, three walks, and an error to put Nova Southeastern ahead 10-1.
Rollins made the score respectable by plating runs in each of the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.
Luke Reidy launched his first home run of the year, a solo shot, to make it 10-2 in the sixth. After Nova added one more in the bottom of the sixth, Rollins got one back when
Sam LaFontaine drove in
Parker Smith with an RBI single. In inning eight, pinch-hitter
Eddie Ayala doubled with one out, and was promptly brought in on a double from
Jack Gonzalez.
Tyler Colson then capped the scoring in the ninth with a two-run single to right-center that scored
Joe Cosgrove and
Jake Rolly to make the final of 11-6.
Austin Long was charged with the loss after allowing three runs on six hits in four innings of work.
Jared Herron and
Timmy Tierney both threw scoreless innings for Rollins in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.
Reidy led the offense by reaching base safely three times on a home run and two walks.
The two teams will match up two times on Saturday in Winter Park. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3:00 pm at Alfond Stadium. Fans can watch live and follow along with live stats at RollinsSports.com.
