LAKELAND, Fla. (April 28, 2023) - Rollins opened their three-game series with the Florida Southern Mocs with an 8-5 win on Friday. The Tars now stand at 29-12 overall, and 18-4 in SSC play.
Rollins struck first with a run in the opening frame when a
Jeslyn Whitehead single to left brought in
Joey Rubin, who had been hit by a pitch and stole second earlier in the inning.
In the top of the second, Rollins began their power display with a pair of home runs. First up was
Parker Smith, who brought in
Mason Wilson with his 17th bomb of the year, the 3rd-most in program history for a single season. The next batter was
Spencer Sarringar, who followed suit with a solo shot to left to make it 4-0.
The Mocs made it to the board in the bottom of the second on a triple. The Tars answered back quickly with a run in the third on an error from the Mocs' centerfielder that brought in Whiethead.
After Florida Southern got one back again in the bottom half, Rollins scored for the fourth straight inning. This time it was
Drew Howard launching his second home run of the season with a shot to left. Then, in the fifth,
Ryan Coleman got in on the action with a bomb to center, making it a 7-2 game.
Edward Berry had the start for Rollins, and was cruising through this one until the eighth inning. Southern started the inning with three straight singles, bringing in one run. After two outs, a triple added two more to the total, making it 7-5.
The Tars added an insurance run in the ninth with a squeeze bunt single from
Adams Torres to make the final of 8-5.
Tate Stone-Frisina closed things out with a perfect 1-2-3 ninth to earn the save.
These two teams will meetup for the second time on Saturday, starting at 1:00 PM.
