LAKELAND, Fla. (May 10, 2025) - Rollins and Florida Southern had to cut their final regular season game short on Saturday due to a lengthy weather day. After reaching the top of the sixth inning, the players were forced off the field at 1:37 pm. By 4:45, umpires and coaches to call the game complete as it ended in a 2-2 tie. The result puts Rollins at 29-19-1 on the season with an 18-11-1 mark in the SSC. The Mocs move to 36-13-1.
Rollins struck early in the first inning. With one out,
Joey Rubin singled,
Jeslyn Whitehead walked,
Mason Wilson walked, and then
Chris Sparber brought two runs in with a sharp line drive through the right side. Unfortunately, the threat ended there as the Tars left two on base. Southern threatened in their half, but
Ryan Murphy left a runner on third base by inducing a popout.
The Tars had runners on second and third in the second inning, but a strikeout ended the threat of more runs. In the bottom half, the Mocs got one run back with a sac fly to cut the lead to one.
After a quiet third, Rollins once again had a prime opportunity to add to their lead.
Dalton Pyzer and
Stephen Deans each singled with one out, and
Joey Rubin walked two batters later to load the bases. After a pitching change, the reliever got Whitehead to fly out to center, leaving the bases full.
Southern rallied in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. A single and a walk had a runner on third for the Mocs with one out. Lead off man Jevin Relaford hit a ball to second that was misplayed, allowing to Chris McKenna to score, The Tars got out of the inning in style though as Deans threw out two would-be basestealers on back to back plays.
Rollins sent two hitters to the plate in the top of the sixth before the stoppage and ensuing delay. The result is significant. For the Tars, they desperately needed a win to reach 30 on the season and be considered for an at-large spot in the NCAA South Regional. Florida Southern was shooting for the #2 seed and a hosting spot in the regional; a win would have all but locked that up for them. Now the two teams will have to wait and see what their fates will be. The selection show will take place on Sunday, May 11 at 10:30 pm on NCAA.com.
