WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 6, 2024) - Rollins opened their week of play with a nice 6-1 win over visiting Assumption University on Wednesday. The victory moves the Tars to 9-7 on the year while the Greyhounds drop to 2-5.
The top of the first was interesting as starter
Evan Cornelius got two quick outs, but then walked the bases loaded. Thankfully, he was able to force a groundout to escape unscathed. In the bottom of the first, he received run support from his offense when
Mason Wilson doubled home
Rob Buckley, who had previously reached on his first hit of the season.
The Greyhounds had another runner in scoring position in the second, but catcher
Oscar Murray was able to pick him off after a pitch to end the inning.
Assumption threatened once more in the fifth with the bases loaded, but
Ryan Taylor worked a popup to short to quell the potential threat.
Drew Howard added an insurance run for Rollins in the bottom half, delivering a sac fly to deep center that plated
Matthew Farner.
The lead was cut in half in the top of the sixth as Assumption was finally able to get on the board on a misplayed groundball from the Tars.
Rollins was quick to respond with a
Nathan Tinder RBI groundout that scored Wilson, who had walked to get on base, making it 3-1.
Though it wasn't needed, Rollins added three insurance runs in the eighth. Murray walked, stole second, and scored on a Buckley double to right. The next batter was Wilson, who delivered an absolute nuke to right-center for a two-run home run. According to the Yakkertech software at the field, the ball was hit with an exit velocity of 104.5 miles per hour, and went 421 feet.
Jacob Burr, who took over pitching duties in the seventh, fired a scoreless ninth to wrap things up and earn his first save of the season.
Wilson finished with a walk, double, home run, two runs scored, three RBI, and a stolen base.
Cornelius threw four innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Taylor had two innings fo work with a strikeout. Burr was strong in his three innings, allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out five.
Next up for the Tars is a single game against Northwood University on Friday, March 8. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm from Alfond Stadium in Winter Park.
