Tars Tee Off on Mocs

LAKELAND, Fla. (April 29, 2023) - Rollins secured a series win against Florida Southern on Saturday with an impressive offensive display, winning 17-8. The Tars now stand at 30-12 on the season with a 19-4 record in SSC play.

Rollins scored first in this one when Joey Rubin came in on a Jeslyn Whitehead groundball. Florida Southern had a quick response, plating a pair in the bottom half thanks to a pair of singles and a fielder's choice. 

In the top of the the third, the Tars would reclaim the lead. Rubin walked with one out, and promptly stole second. A fielding error put two men on base, and Whitehead came through with a base hit to plate Rubin. The next batter was Ryan Colemanwho doubled ot left, bringing in Adams Torres and Whitehead to make it 4-2. 

The top of the fourth was once again a big inning for Rollins. With one out Spencer Sarringar, Drew Howard, and Rubin all singled to load the bases. Torres brought in Sarringar with a sac fly and moved the other runners up. Next up was Whitehead who slapped a single to right, bringing in two more runs, making it 7-2. 

Things remained that way until the sixth when Southern tok advantage of a Rollins error to score three runs (two unearned) to pull within two at 7-5. 

The Mocs then made the game interesting in the eighth, scoring twice more on a wild pitch and a groundout to tie the score at seven all. 

As they have done all year, Rollins was able to rally late. Howard, Rubin, Torres, and Whitehead all reached base to start the ninth inning, scoring a run and loading the bases. Next up was Ryan Coleman who launched a bomb to right for the grand slam, putting Rollins up five. The Tars weren't done yet though. With two outs, Howard singled to center to bring in Cameron Meehan. Rubin followed suit with an RBI single of his own, and then Torres added tow more with a double to left. Two walks loaded the bases, followed by a Meehan walk that drove in the tenth run of the inning for Rollins. 

Austin Long pitched the ninth, allowing one run to make the final of 17-8 .

Coleman had six RBI from the cleanup spot, whole Whitehead had three hits and five driven in. Rubin scored five times after reaching base six times in the game. The Tars recorded 15 hits and walked 12 times in the game. 

Nick Berger turned in another quality start, tossing six innings with five runs (three earned) and striking out three. Spencer Mangum picked up the win in relief. 

The third game of the series is scheduled for noon on Sunday, April 30.