Bearcats Steal Win From Tars

GREENWOOD, SC (Februarry 7, 2025) - In the second game of their season opener, softball gave up three runs late and fell to the Lander Bearcats, 6-5. The loss moves Rollins to 1-1 on the young season.

The Tars jumped out to an early lead when Madi Carr tripled home Grace Germer and Jenna Borkey, who were both hit by pitches to reach base. Unfortunately, the advantage was short-lived as Lander connected for back-to-back home runs to go up 3-2. 

In the second, Emma Gipple led off with a single and moved to second on a sac bunt. Germer then stepped up and ripped a shot up the middle, which drove in Gipple to tie the game. After moving to third on a wild pitch, Germer came across to score for the second time on a Borkey sac fly to left, putting Rollins ahead 4-3. 

Starter Emily MacMullen struck out the side in the second, and stranded runners in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. 

Rollins added to their lead in the fifth. With one out, Brianna Perantoni tripled to right field, and scored on a base hit from Gipple. They had a chance to add to the lead in the sixth, but left two runners in scoring position. 

The Bearcats led off the sixth with a walk and a single. After a sac bunt, both runners came around to score on a triple from Naya Jones, tying the game at five. She would come in to score two batters later on a throwing error, putting Lander ahead. 

The Tars went down in order in the seventh, ending the game.

Carr, Perantoni, and Gipple each had two hits to lead the offense. MacMullen took the loss, but struck out eight in her start. 

Rollins is back in action on Saturday, February 8 with two more games played at Doug Spears Field. They will play UNC Pembroke at 10:00 am, followed by a matchup with Catawba at noon.