TAMPA, Fla. (May 15, 2026) - Despite an early lead, the three-seed Rollins Tars were not able to hang on, ultimately falling to two-seed and host Tampa by a score of 9-3. The Tars now stand at 35-15 on the year while the Spartans improve to 43-8.
With two outs in the top of the first,
Michael Furry turned on a 2-2 pitch from SSC Pitcher of the Year, launching it over the left field wall for a solo home run, his eighth of the season. The excitement was short-lived though, as Tampa Used two walks, a hit by pitch, a balk, and a sac fly to score twice and take the lead.
Rollins had two runners on in the second, but one was picked off and the other was thrown out trying to steal. The Spartans then added three more runs to their tally with an RBI single from Luke Fikar and a two-run home run from Brayden Woodburn, making it 5-1.
The Tars once again had a solid chance in the third.
Stephen Deans led off with a walk, and moved to second on a
Mauri Bejarano single. With the top of the lineup coming to bat, expectations were high, but nothing happened as the next three hitters were put out.
Rollins had a quiet fourth, followed by another run for Tampa from SSC Player of the Year Jhoander Irigoyen on an RBI single. In the fifth, Walker Vanecek sent a
Brett Dennis offering over the right field wall to make it 7-1.
The Tars got one run back in the eighth when
Jayden Brown's groundout scored
Joey Rubin. Unfortunately, three straight doubles from the Spartans equated to two runs to make it 9-2.
Rollins added their third and final run in the ninth when Rubin's two-out single brought in
Elvin Figueroa.
Bailey earned the win for Tampa, moving him to 13-0 on the year. Dennis was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs in four innings of work.
Robert Ogg was great in relief, tossing two scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth with two strikeouts. Rubin and Thies each had two hits to lead the offense.
With the loss, Rollins will now face #6 West Alabama on Saturday at 1pm. The loser is done for the year, while the winner will have to turn around and face Tampa at 5pm, and win, in order to keep their season alive.
