ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (February 20, 2024) - After jumping out to an early lead, the Rollins Tars ultimately fell in extra innings to the Flagler Saints on Tuesday, losing 5-4. The loss drops the Tars to 5-4 overall, while Flagler improves to 3-8 on the year.
Jeslyn Whitehead got the party started with a single to center, and was brought in moments later on a
Mason Wilson double. Two batters later,
Chris Sparber found the gap with a line drive for a double of his own, bringing home Wilson to make it 2-0.
The Saints got one back in the bottom half with three straight singles, but a double play cut the attempt to tie the game short.
Rollins gor the run back in the second when
Jose Perez smoked a ball to let for his first home run of the season. The lead would then extend by another run in the third when Sparber's flyout to center was deep enough to plate Whitehead, making the game 4-1.
Flagler was quick to respond with plenty of help from the Tars defense. The leadoff man reached on a fielding error at third, and moves to second on a balk. A double and a single brought in two runs, making it 4-3. Starter
Ryan Furey was able to induce a groundball double play with the next hitter to escape further damage.
The Tars made a pitching change to start the fourth, but it did not pay off as a leadoff home run would tie game at four each.
Rollins put two men on in the fifth, but had their rally stopped by a double play. They had another fantastic chance to score in the seventh, putting runners on the corners with no outs. However, a strikeout and another double play ended the threat.
The Tars' last shot in regulation saw
Matthew Farner leadoff with a walk, and move to second on a sac bunt. Pinch-hitter
Rob Buckley came in and was hit by a pitch, putting two on. Staying with the theme of the night, Rollins grounded into yet another double play to end the inning.
After
Ryan Taylor shut down the Saints in the ninth, Rollins put together a pair of hits in the tenth, but couldn't push a run across. Flagler was more effective with their baserunners, as two singles and an intentional walk loaded the bases with no outs. That set the stage for Taylor Clapp to rip a single to the outfield to drive in the winning run.
Whitehead and Wilson each had three hits to pace the Tar offense. Whitehead scored twice and stole two bases, and Sparber drove in two runs.
Evan Cornelius was fantastic out of the bullpen, tossing two no-hit innings with a pair of strikeouts.
Jacob Burr took the loss for Rollins.
The Tars will now prep for their first SSC series of the year when they host Embry-Riddle on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Alfond Stadium in Winter Park.
