WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 24, 2024) - Rollins bounced bac in a big way on Saturday, avenging last night's series-opening loss to Embry-Riddle with an 8-1 blowout of the Eagles. The Tars now stand at 6-5, 1-1 SSC while the Eagles move to 6-4, 1-1.
Embry-Riddle was able to get a runner to second in both the first and second innings, but starter
Nick Berger was able to pitch himself out of the situation both times. In the bottom of the second, he got his first support run on a
Matthew Farner sac fly that plated
Nathan Tinder.
After low-key third, fourth, and fifth innings, things got interesting in the sixth. Chase Bruno singled, followed by a Camden Traficante walk to put two on with no outs. Again it was Berger showing a ton of guts, giving up a sac bunt followed by two popouts to escape the jam unscathed. In the bottom half,
Mason Wilson helped out his pitcher by smoking a double to the right field corner that plated
Jeslyn Whitehead to make it 2-0.
The Eagles cut the lead in half in the eighth on a solo home run from Traficante, the only true mistake made by Berger on the mound. The play would soon be forgotten as the Tars made up for it by batting around in the bottom of the inning.
Oscar Murray singled to lead off, and moved to second on a sac bunt from
Connor Chang. A Whitehead single, followed by a Wilson hit by pitch would load the bases. Tinder was up next and was also hit by a pitch, bringing home a run.
Chris Sparber followed with an RBI single,
Jack Herring drove in two with a single of his own, and Farner then cleared the bases with a triple to make it 8-1.
Jacob Burr tossed a clean ninth to end the game.
Berger's final line read eight innings, six hits (five singles), one run, two walks and four strikeouts. Farner's three RBI led the offense, with help from Whitehead's two hits. Murray reached base four times from the leadoff spot with three walks and a single.
The rubber match will take place on Sunday, February 25 from Winter Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
