ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (April 12, 2024) - Baseball had the bats cooking on Friday in the series opener against Eckerd, coming away with a 13-5 victory over the Tritons. With the win, the Tars improve to 20-14 on the year and 11-8 in the SSC. Eckerd falls to 16-17, 5-11 SSC.
After a scoreless first, the Tars exploded for five runs in the second.
Andrew Roberts led off with a walk, followed by an out and a hit by pitch. Next up was
Stephen Deans, who ripped a double to left field, scoring Roberts. After another flyout,
Jose Perez launched a three-run bomb to left-center, making it 4-0. The next batter was
Mason Wilson who followed suit with his first home run since March 6.
The third inning saw more of the same as two runs scored on an
Angelo Ramirez single to left. After a pitching change, Deans laced another double to left, bringing in Ramirez.
Jack Herring then singled home
Jimmy Thies to make it 9-0.
Eckerd picked up a pair in the fifth on a two run home run of off
Edward Berry, but that would be it for damage. Still, once he finished the inning, Berry was pulled from the game.
Rollins got the two runs back in the seventh when Herring went yard to right-center, scoring himself and Deans, who had doubled for the third time of the night in the previous at bat.
After Eckerd scored once more in the seventh, the Tars wrapped up their scoring when Herring ripped a triple to the right-center gap that brought in Deans and Thies. The Tritons scored twice in the ninth to make the final of 13-5.
The Tars put together one of their top offensive performances of the season in this one. Rollins totaled 13 hits (nine for extra bases), walked five times, and reached seven times via hit by pitch. Herring led the way with five RBI and eight total bases from the leadoff spot. Eight of nine starters for Rollins had a hit, and seven of nine scored at least one run.
Berry earned the win with a line of five innings, six hits, two runs, and five strikeouts.
The two teams will wrap the series on Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm from St. Pete.
