TAMPA, Fla. (April 1, 2023) - Rollins secured a series win by defeating Tampa in game one of a doubleheader today, while the Spartans avoided a sweep with a game three win in the nightcap. Rollins now stands at 22-9 on the year with a 12-3 record in SSC play. Tampa falls to 24-6, 13-2 SSC.
Game One
Rollins 5
Tampa 3
Rollins scraped together the first run of the game in the top of the first when
Joey Rubin reached on a fielding error. He was moved to third on an
Adams Torres single, and then scored on a
Jeslyn Whitehead groundout. Tampa responded right away though when JD Urso roped a double to right center that scored Jordan Lala.
Following a scoreless second, Torres led off the third inning with a solo bomb to left, putting Rollins up 2-1. A few innings later, Tampa knotted the score in the fifth with a sac fly.
The Tars then pulled away in the top of the sixth.
Cameron Meehan led off with a double, and moved ot third on a
Jack Herring single. After a pitching change,
Jimmy Thies brought in Meehan with a sac fly. That was followed by a
Parker Smith no-doubter that scored himself and Herring to make it 5-2.
Meanwhile,
Nick Berger was absolutely dealing for the Tars. though his strikeout total stayed low the entire game, the Spartans just couldn't seem to make good contact with his pitches. At one point, he retired eleven hitters in a row. Head coach
Jon Sjogren let him start off the ninth in hopes of completing the game, and he struck out the first hitter he faced. However, the next three hitters went double, single, walk to make it a 5-3 game with two men on.
Spencer Mangum was called on out of the pen, and induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the game and lock up the series for the Tars.
Five Tars had multiple hits in this one, led by Smith's two RBI and run scored. Berger earned the win with a final line of 8.1 innings, six hits, three runs, three walks and two strikeouts.
Game Two
Tampa 6
Rollins 4
Once again, the Tars jumped out early when
Ryan Coleman doubled in Torres in the top of the first. The lead di not last long though as Tampa led off with a walk, followed by a two-run homer to take a 2-1 lead after one. They would add a third run in the second on a sac fly.
In the top of the fourth, Rollins was able to get one run back. Coleman led off with an infield single, and moved to second on a passed ball. Herring then laced a double to left center to score Coleman. Herring would remain stranded on third though. Tampa again responded quickly, scoring on a sac fly during their fourth-inning at bat.
Tampa extended their lead to 6-2 in the sixth with back-to-back RBI singles.
Rollins had a great chance in the seventh to mount a comeback. Pinch-hitter
Andres Antonini led off with a home run, followed by a
Joey Rubin double. Three batters later, Meehan doubled again, scoring Rubin to make it 6-4. Rollins would load the bases with two outs, but a strike out ended the threat.
In their final at bat in the ninth, Rollins again made things interesting. Coleman and Meehan each singled with one out. Next,
Jack Herring hit a flyball to deep center, but it was caught on the warning track. Both runners were able to move into scoring position though, representing the tying runs.
Kyle Bullock was called on to pinch hit, but was called out on strikes to end the game.
Coleman went 4-5 at the plate with a run and RBI to lead the offense.
Next up for Rollins is a SSC series at home against Eckerd. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM pn Thursday, April 6 followed by a doubleheader at noon on Friday, April 7.
