MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech answered a mid-game deficit with a three-run fifth inning and held strong late to secure a 5–3 win over Rollins for the series despite losing Game Two, 7-5.
GAME ONE:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: RV Florida Tech 5, Rollins 7
Records: Florida Tech (25-10-1, 11-5 SSC) | Rollins (21-11, 9-8 SSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Rollins opened the game with a single then despite two straight groundouts hit back-to-back singles for the first score of the game.
- Tech also led off with a single by Chloe Fariello but stranded her and another runner at second and first.
- In the circle, Fariello settled down, letting up just one hit and striking out a batter in the second.
- Tech got on the board in the second inning as Malaya Nelson reached on a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Audrey Gurule to tie the game at 1–1.
- After a 1-2-3 inning by Fariello, including another punchout, the Panthers took control in the third inning, scoring three runs highlighted by Haley Rider reaching on an error to bring in a run and a two-RBI double from Jillian Moeller to make it 4–1.
- Rollins responded with a big fourth inning, scoring four runs to reclaim a 5–4 lead, capitalizing on extra-base hits and defensive miscues.
- The Tars added two more runs in the fifth inning.
- Tech threatened in multiple innings late, including hits from Kate Rodel and Chloe Fariello, but couldn't cut into the deficit.
- Emma Chisholm provided a late spark with a solo home run in the seventh inning, trimming the score to 7–5.
- The Panthers brought the tying run to the plate in the final frame, but Rollins held on to secure the 7–5 win.
GAME TWO:
STATS OF THE GAME:
Final: RV Florida Tech 5, Rollins 3
Records: Florida Tech (26-10-1, 12-5 SSC) | Rollins (21-12, 9-9 SSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Despite a walk to begin the game, Sammy Murphy worked out of the first inning with the help of her catcher Rodel catching a runner stealing second.
- While the first two batters were caught stealing and struck out, the Panthers took an early lead in the first inning as Emma Chisholm scored on a defensive mistake to make it 1–0 after signaling to right field.
- Murphy held the Tars to one hit in the next two innings, giving Tech the chance to add another run in the third inning. Audrey Gurule and Fariello tallied back-to-back singles with Fariello scoring on an error for the 2-0 edge.
- Rollins answered in the fourth with a three-run home run, flipping the score to 3–2.
- The Panthers responded in the fifth inning with a big rally, once again getting the first two batters on and highlighted by Emma Chisholm's two-RBI single and an RBI knock from Jillian Moeller to regain a 5–3 lead.
- Rollins threatened in the seventh by loading the bases, but Florida Tech's defense held strong to preserve the 5-3 victory.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Florida Tech moved to 65-61 all-time versus Rollins College
- Since the start of the 2016 season, the Panthers hold a 17-13 advantage in the series.
- Tech earned its first home series win against Rollins since March 29-30, 2018.
- Chisholm's 16th home run is tied for fourth for most in a season in SSC history.
- Chisholm hit her 53rd RBI of the season which breaks the Panthers single-season record.
UP NEXT: Florida Tech remains at home against Embry-Riddle for a three-game series, starting on Friday, April 10, at 4 p.m. ET.
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