This Week in Athletics: April 8

April 8, 2026

Greetings #TARnation! Hope you're staying dry out there. While you are waiting on campo to come pick you up so you don't have to walk to class in the rain, let's get you caught up on the latest in Rollins athletics:

- Baseball whipped out the brooms in their home series against Florida Tech, taking home the series sweep on Thursday and Friday. Connor O'Sullivan had at least one hit and one run in each game, while Michael Furry delivered a moonshot home run to give Rollins the lead in the eighth inning of game three. Throw in a couple impressive relief outings from Coby Vallee and JR Struk, and you have a lovely little weekend for the boys, who are now ranked #11 in the ABCA coaches poll. 

- Men's tennis only had one match last week, but it was a real doozy. They started doubles play on Wednesday at Embry-Riddle, but got washed out before singles could begin. So the Tars traveled back to Daytona on Thursday and took four of six matches to earn the win. Nico de Giacomo provided the heroics, claiming a three-set thriller 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 to clinch the match. Rollins has won eight of their last nine, and moved up to #6 in the latest poll this afternoon. 

- Rowing participated in the loaded field at the DII Invite, held in Clermont, Florida. In Friday's prelims, the Varsity 8 took fourth place while the Varsity 4 finished in fifth. On Saturday, the 8 boat took sixth and fifth, though they were only six seconds out of third in the final race. The 4 crew took fourth in their final run, just two seconds behind conference rival Embry-Riddle. 

- Softball was in Melbourne, and picked up one win in three tries against the Florida Tech Panthers. In Saturday's victory, the Tars fought back from down 4-1 to capture a 7-5 W. Kaeli Zahradnik sparked the comeback with a two-run double in the fourth, while Bri Perantoni and Brooke Theisen each scored twice in the game. Zahradnik also added a home run and three RBI in the game three loss.

-  Men's lacrosse suffered a pair of defeats, dropping a home contest to Florida Tech, followed by a 10-5 loss at #3 Tampa. Aaron Williams scored twice in each game to lead the offense, while Brady Greco continued his All-American caliber season by winning 24/36 faceoffs. 

- Women's lacrosse was shorthanded at home versus #6 Tampa on Wednesday, and the lost a heartbreaker on Saturday at #19 Florida Tech, 19-18. In the game against the Panthers, the score was tied at 15 all with 11:35 to play before a wild finish saw Tech squeak by with the win. Gabby Yerardi was dialed, scoring five times while adding two assists in the game. 

- Women's tennis only saw the court once, dropping a 5-2 match to #3 Embry-Riddle. Despite the loss, the Tars had some silver lining in the form of their 1-2 punch of Alyssa Novoa and Nisan Can, who each scored individual wins over tough opponents. Novoa, who is now 13-2 with six straight wins, moved up to #2 in the country in the latest ITA rankings!

- Sailing finished fifth at the SAISA Open Team Race in Charleston, SC. They had an overall record of 8-10 across three days, but swept South Florida on two separate occasions, while also taking first and second in all three of their races versus Clemson. 

- Though they weren't in action this week, women's golf received a nice little surprise when Youyang Li was named the SSC Golfer of the Week following her win at the Lynn Invitational. She is the second Tar golfer to earn the award this season.



-Women's lacrosse begins their busy stretch this afternoon on the road in Boca Raton. First, it will be the #5 Lynn Fighting Knights fortunate to have the company of the Tars. Today's contest begins at 3pm. Then, it's senior day! Saturday's matchup with second-ranked Florida Southern will include senior festivities surrounding a 1pm first draw. Finally, the women will head back south for a date with PBA on Tuesday evening. Go get 'em, ladies!
 
-The men's lacrosse team will warm up the 'Spur tonight. An 8pm faceoff commences a battle with the Embry-Riddle Eagles. You've only got two more chances to catch the men in action at home during the regular season. Why not spend your Wednesday night with us? Then on Saturday, Coach Lewis' squad take their talents to Lakeland for a showdown with the Florida Southern Mocs. Faceoff takes place at 7pm.
 
-Come sail away with me…to Tampa! The sailing team will compete in the SAISA Women's Team Race Championship this weekend over at the Haney Landing Sailing Center. A 12pm sharp report time gets the party started. The first flight for the Tars is a race with the College of Charleston, followed by opponents USF and Jacksonville. The weekend's top team will head to the ICSA Women's Team Race Championships hosted by Tulane University later this month!
 
-Baseball heads to Miami Shores, riding high off a weekend sweep. Only four SSC series remain, including two with the best of the best. Good thing the Tars are in that conversation, too! A three-game set with the Barry Buccaneers gets underway on Friday night at 6pm. A 1:30pm first pitch on Saturday will be the middle game, followed by a noon start for Sunday's finale. But wait, there's more! The men will be right back down south for a date with PBA on Tuesday of next week. A 6pm start marks the beginning of the final midweek game of the season for the Tars.
 
-Softball also squares off with Barry this weekend. Fortunately, the Tars will be right here at home. Come out Friday night for a 7pm first pitch from the circle at MLK Park. And if you thought this weekend's forecast couldn't get any better, you'd be mistaken. How about a doubleheader to compliment those moderate temps with plenty of sunshine? The first game with the Bucs on Saturday will begin at 1pm with game two to follow, wrapping up the series.
 
-The rowing squads will compete in the Knecht Cup this weekend. No, we're not talking about current Los Angeles Laker, Dalton Knecht... we're talking two days out on the water competing with the best of the best. Action will get underway from Cherry Hill, New Jersey on Saturday out on Cooper River. Have a blast, Tars!
 
-Sunday designates the start of the SSC Championships for the women's golf team. Can you believe we are already in postseason play?! Looking to follow last season's showing, which was highlighted by an individual championship from Alisha Rametra, the Tars will swing it at Cabot Citrus Farms over in Brooksville across three days. With a spot in the NCAA South Region tournament hanging in the balance, the ladies are ready for their best rounds yet. Good luck Tars!
 
-Both tennis teams will be back in action on Monday following today's postponement of the women's match. Have no fear… a doubleheader is here! The action starts at 10am when the women take on the #12 Lynn Fighting Knights. And if you want even more high-level tennis, head back on Tuesday for a showdown with #5 Nova Southeastern. We have entered the final stretch, and Coach Tasi's squad is primed for a long postseason journey!
 
-The same can be said for Jay Friedman's squad. How about the win by the men on Thursday? They will look to keep it rolling following the women's match on Monday. It is Faculty and Professional Staff Day. Come out and support those that give so much to this campus along with the men who are putting together a special season! The best is still to come!

Links to live streams for most events can be found on the schedule section at the top of the homepage of RollinsSports.com. For home events, bookmark the Rollins page on the SSC Digital Network for year-round coverage. Also, be sure to follow us on our Instagram page, @rollinssports

-Tommy Tar
#TARnation