Explosive Offense Fuels Doubleheader Sweep

WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 15, 2025) - The Tars were back in action with conference foe Florida Southern for a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. Propelled by outstanding pitching and quick offensive production, the Tars grabbed two victories both by way of the run rule.
 
Game 1
Rollins jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after one thanks to RBI doubles by Brie Michelli and Marisa Edevane. The Tars were also active on the base paths with four stolen bases in the frame and took advantage of some early miscues by the Mocs in the field that included two errors, two wild pitches, and a passed ball. 
 
After a double play ended any Florida Southern threat in the second, Rollins once again took advantage of mistakes by the Mocs. Two more runs came in from four walks and one error, increasing the Tars advantage to 7-0.
 
Brooke Theisen added an RBI double of her own in the third to grab an 8-0 lead, where the game would stay put until the top half of the fifth. Rollins starter Grace Hautzinger exited after four complete with zero runs, three hits and two strikeouts. Her outstanding performance helped the Tars out to a big lead to set up a potential mercy rule, but the Mocs would not concede easily, grabbing a run in the fifth.
 
After three singles loaded the bases in the bottom half of the fifth, Cambrie Todd delivered the walkoff base hit to seal a 9-1 Tars win.
 
Game 2
The second game followed a similar script for the Tars, but this time the damage was done with extra base hits.
 
In the second inning, Brianna Perantoni delivered a triple to bring home Jaden Walker and Brie Michelli, who had reached on singles. While the triple is not something you see every day, the freshman now has two in her young career for the Tars. After an RBI sacrifice bunt by Kaeli Zahradnik, Makayla Layton stepped up to the plate and delivered more damage. Layton drilled a home run up the left field line to put the Tars in front 4-0, the first hit in her Tars career.
 
Rollins grabbed three more runs in the third inning in epic fashion. After a Madi Carr single, Walker and Michelli dropped the hammer with back-to-back home runs, increasing the lead to 7-0.
 
While the offense did their thing, Reese Twiggs was dealing in the circle. Twiggs delivered four brilliant innings. Apart from one hit and one walk, Twiggs was perfect, lowering her ERA to 0.54 on the season.
 
Taylor Hartman took to the circle in the fifth for her second straight day of work. Once again, the Mocs could not get anything going, setting up a potential mercy rule again with Rollins due up.
 
The fans did not have to wait long to see Marisa Edevane provide the knockout blow. Edevane walked it off once again for the Tars with a shot to left center. It was the third homer of the game for the Tars, putting an exclamation point on the sweep to start conference play.
 
The Tars will hit the road next weekend as they head to Saint Leo for a three-game set with the Lions. Similarly, one game will be played on Friday night, followed by a double header Saturday. Follow the softball action all season from RollinsSports.com.