WINTER PARK, Fla. – After a wet and wild weekend, No. 11 softball's series against No. 24 Rollins comes to a conclusion in dramatic fashion as both of the final two games were decided in nine innings. The teams split the two contests as Florida Tech held off the Tars in the rescheduled finish of last night's game, 2-0, which gave the team the series win but was defeated in the final game, 4-3.
Jaden Kline (3-4, one RBI) and
Mikayla Wessel (2-3) had huge games as they combined for five hits in seven at-bats.
Tina Velazquez Rolon (10-3) went for eight scoreless innings, with only four hits surrendered, before the game was suspended due to inclement weather.
Melanie Murphy (S, 4) took the mound to start the day and close out the extra-inning showdown. Murphy did just that as she helped complete the shut out and give the Panthers a 2-0 win.
Murphy came back out to begin the final game of the series and tossed three innings during which she gave up three runs on five hits. She was replaced by
Jordan Lawlis (4-2) who put together a solid effort in a loss as she allowed only one run on four hits with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
The final game of the series began in the Tars favor as a home run in the bottom of the first opened up the scoreline. The Panthers tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the third when Kline singled to left field which scored
Melinda Rule. The Crimson and Gray then took the lead, 2-1, when
Vanessa Rubio went to the plate and hit a single of her own which allowed
Xiarysse Emerenciana to cross the plate.
Another Rollins home run, in the bottom of the third, knotted it up at 2-2. But the tie did not last long thanks to a Tars' throwing error in the top of the fourth which allowed
Shanysse Emerenciana to safely trot across the bag.
Unfortunately, a third RC home run brought it back even at 3-3 in their half of the fourth inning. This score held till the bottom of the ninth when a Tars' walk-off single downed the Panthers, 4-3.
Florida Tech will look ahead to its next Sunshine State Conference weekend series against Nova Southeastern. Game one of three is set to begin at 3 p.m. ET Friday, April 12. This series will take place in Melbourne, Florida, at Nancy Bottge Field.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech softball team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
