Panthers Spoil Sparber's Four-Hit Day

MELBOURNE, Fla. (April 24, 2024) - Playing for the first time in eight days, Rollins looked a bit rusty, leading to a 7-1 loss at the hands of the Florida Tech Panthers in a non-conference matchup. Rollins now stands at 22-16 on the year, while Tech improves to 17-27.

Chris Sparber doubled in the first to put a man in scoring position for the Tars, but he was left stranded. The Panthers did not make the same mistake, driving in a run with a two-out single to go up 1-0. 

Angelo Ramirez sparked a personal rally in the second, walking with one out, and then stealing second. After a pop out, Jimmy Thies came though with a two-out RBI of his own, tying the game. Nate Thomas pitched himself out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom half to keep it tight. 

Sparber added a single and steal in the third but that was it for either team. 

Florida Tech blew the game open in the fourth with some help from the Tar defense. Rollins pitchers hit three Panther hitters, and an error at short scored one of three runs in the inning,, putting them up 4-1. The defensive woes continued when two errors and a wild pitch added another run for Tech in the fifth. 

The top of the sixth saw Sparber rip a base hit up the middle, but again, nothing came of it. 

The final score was achieved in the bottom of the seventh when the Panthers plated a pair on an RBI double. 

Sparber then wrapped up his day with his fourth hit of the day in the top of the eighth. 

Rollins will be back to conference play on Friday when they face Palm Beach Atlantic on Friday, April 26 in West Palm Beach. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm.