Rollins Walks Off for the Fifth Time This Season

WINTER PARK, Fla. (May 2, 2023) - Rollins took home a victory in non-conference, mid-week matchup with the Eckerd Tritons on Tuesday evening, winning 6-5. The Tars are now 32-12 on the season.

Eckerd got going in their first at bat. Two of the first three batters walked, and then moved up on a groundball. Kyle Ericson was up next, and barely made contact with a ball to the left side. However, it was hit weakly enough that no play could be made, bringing in a run. On the next pitch, Pete Stavrakos lined a single to right to bring in a second run.

Rollins looked primed to answer back in their half, loading the bases with one out on two walks and a hit by pitch. Unfortunately, the next two hitters flew out, leaving the runners stranded.

The second and third innings were quiet, but Eckerd found the scoreboard again in the fourth. Three of the first four hitters singled, bringing in a run. They would load the bases moments later, but starter Austin Long worked a soft groundball to escape any further damage.

Rollins got on the board with a small rally in the fourth. Parker Smith walked with two outs, andmoved to second on a failed pickoff attempt. Jimmy Thies followed up with a single ripped up the middle to plate Smith to make it 3-1.

After Kieran Casey entered the game in the fifth and shut down the Tritons, Rollins struck again. Jack Herring walked with one out, followed by a double from Jeslyn Whitehead. After Ryan Coleman walked to load the bases, Cameron Meehan drew a walk as well to drive in a run. Parker Smith then tied things up by getting plunked in the back by a curveball, bringing home Whitehead. Continuing the theme, Spencer Sarringar also had an RBI on a walk, giving Rollins a 4-3 advantage. 

Rollins tacked another run on in the sixth. Mason Wilson pinch-hit and was struck by a pitch, the third Tar of the day to be hit. He moved to second on a Whitehead single, to third on a groundout, and then scored on a wild pitch. 

Eckerd made a comeback in the seventh, scoring twice on a two-out, seeing eye single through the left side from Tyler Young, which tied the game at five. TheTritons then had two runners on with one out in the eighth, but a flyout and a caught stealing from Sarringar ended the threat. 

Rollins had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the eighth when Drew Howard led off with a double. A grounder moved him to third with one away, but he would end up stranded.

Jeslyn Whitehead fired a flawless ninth inning, setting up Rollins for the walkoff opportunity. With two outs, Jimmy Thies singled to left. He was replaced by pinch-runner Kency McCombe, who stole second base immediately. That gave Sarringar a chance to play hero, which he did by launching a missile to center that one hopped the wall for the walkoff RBI double. 

It was the second RBI of the day for Sarringar. Whitehead, who had two hits on offense, earned the win on the mound. 

Next up for Rollins is their final home series of the regular season. They will host the Saint Leo Lions on Friday and Saturday this weekend. First pitch for Friday is scheduled for 5:00 PM.