TAMPA, Fla. – Rollins softball bounced back in a big way on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader at Tampa to claim the series.
Game One – Rollins 7, Tampa 3
Tampa struck first in the opener, using three hits in the first inning to plate two runs. Both teams went quiet through the second and third, with the Spartans holding the early lead.
Rollins broke through in the fourth.
Rachel Matthiesen recorded the Tars' first hit of the day with a double to center, and
Cambrie Todd followed with another double to bring her home and cut the deficit to one.
Tampa answered in the bottom half, adding a run on a pair of hits and loading the bases, but
Camila Leon-Blanco and the Rollins defense worked out of the jam to limit further damage.
The Tars responded in the fifth.
Kaeli Zahradnik drew a leadoff walk, and
Chloe Bauer delivered a pinch-hit single to spark the rally.
Makayla Layton moved both runners into scoring position with a bunt, and
Daylin Hejtmanek came through with a two-RBI single to tie the game.
Rollins took control in the sixth.
Madi Carr singled to open the inning, with
Lucy McLogan entering as a pinch runner. Zahradnik reached to put two on, and
Claire Long followed with a single to load the bases. Hejtmanek delivered again, driving in the go-ahead run, and
Brianna Perantoni added a two-RBI hit to stretch the lead to 7-3.
The Tars closed it out from there, holding Tampa scoreless over the final innings to secure the win. Leon-Blanco earned the complete-game victory, improving to 10-4 on the season.
Game Two – Rollins 5, Tampa 0
Game two opened as a pitcher's duel, with neither team recording a hit through the first two innings.
Rollins broke through in the third.
Makayla Layton reached to start the inning, and after a caught stealing attempt,
Daylin Hejtmanek and
Jenna Borkey recorded back-to-back hits to put two on. Matthiesen's contact forced an error, allowing Hejtmanek to score and give the Tars a 1-0 lead.
Both teams had opportunities over the middle innings but were unable to capitalize, keeping the game tight heading into the seventh.
Rollins created separation in the final frame.
Claire Long led off with a single, and McLogan entered as a pinch runner. Layton followed with an infield single, and Hejtmanek loaded the bases with a base hit.
Borkey delivered an RBI single to score McLogan, and after a play at the plate resulted in the second out, Todd drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in another run.
Brooke Theisen added an RBI single, and
Marisa Edevane followed with another hit to extend the lead to 5-0.
Rollins held firm in the bottom of the inning to secure the shutout victory.
Reese Twiggs earned the complete-game shutout, improving to 13-7 on the season.
Rollins improves to 26-13 overall and 14-10 in SSC play, while Tampa falls to 27-10 (14-7 SSC). The Tars return home Saturday, April 25, for a 1 p.m. / 3 p.m. doubleheader against Eckerd.
