Rollins Hands Tampa First SSC Loss of Season

TAMPA, Fla. – Hard-hit balls did not drop in for hits for the Spartans as they lose their first SSC game of the season.

Final Score:  No. 7 Rollins College Tars 5, No. 2 University of Tampa Spartans 3 

Records: Tampa (23-5, 12-1 SSC), Rollins (21-8, 11-2 SSC)

Location: UT Baseball Field || Tampa, Florida.

All-Time Series: Tampa leads the series 124-57-1

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Tampa started off hot, taking the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jordan Lala led off with a single to center field and came around to score from first base on a Drew Ehrhard double down the right-field line. | 1-0 Spartans
• Rollins took the lead in the top of the second inning. Ryan Coleman opened the frame with a deep solo home run to right field. Later in the inning, the Tars put together another run on some well-timed singles. Jack Herring reached safely on an infield hit, then advanced to third base and came around to score on a pair of two-out hits by Parker Smith and Spencer Sarringar. | 2-1 Tars
• The Tars extended their lead in the top of the third inning on another RBI with two outs. Jeslyn Whitehead reached on a fielder's choice and stole second base to put himself in scoring position. Cameron Meehan drove him in on a single into center field. | 3-1 Tars.
• Tampa cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third inning thanks to some crafty baserunning by J.D. Urso. Urso was hit by a pitch and moved up to third base on an E.J. Cumbo single. The following batter Danny Gutcher flew one into shallow right field, which was caught by Smith as Urso tagged up and hesitated about halfway down the line. Smith held on to the ball for too long, giving Urso enough time to sprint home safely in a close play at the plate. | 3-2 Tars
• The Tars added to their lead in the top of the seventh inning. The leadoff man Sarringer reached on an error and moved into scoring position via a sacrifice bunt. A single from Adam Torres moved the Rollins catcher 90 feet from home, where he raced to score on a wild pitch in the next plate appearance. | 4-2 Tars
• Rollins added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. Meehan started the frame with a double to left-center field and would score on Smith's second hit of the night. | 5-2 Tars
• Ehrhard picked up his first long ball of the season when he led off the bottom of the eighth inning on a deep solo shot to left field. | 5-3 Tars
• Tate Stone-Frisina pitched the last four innings, allowing one run while Rollins never surrendered their lead as he earned the save. | Final: 5-3 Tars 

 INSIDE THE STATS:

• Ehrhard went 2-4 with 2 RBI on 2 extra-base hits
• Skylar Gonzalez had a strong relief outing, allowing 1 earned run across 3 1/3 innings and striking out 3 batters
• Jack Brodsky continued his great season, tossing 2 2/3 innings in relief and allowing 2 hits and his first earned run of the year

UP NEXT: The Spartans host the Tars in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 1, with the first game beginning at 1 p.m.