WINTER PARK, Fla. – Pitching reigned supreme again as Rollins College completed a three-game Sunshine State Conference sweep against the Eckerd College softball program following Saturday's doubleheader, 8-1 and 9-1 (5 innings).
The Tritons (13-13, 3-6 SSC) avoided the shutout in both instances after a tough 4-0 defeat in Friday's game, but couldn't quite match the offensive pace set by the Tars (21-8, 6-3 SSC) at their home field.
RC's Niki Fogle followed up last night's one-hitter with a game-two winning decision on the heels of a combined three-hitter in the opener with starter Stephanie Sullivan.
After beginning the weekend tied with the Tars in the Sunshine State Conference season standings, the Tritons moved to seventh following the completion of today's games around the league.
Game 1 – Rollins 8, Eckerd 1
Junior
Erin Dixson had the Tritons off to a promising start with an RBI double in EC's first look at Sullivan to open up the afternoon scoring.
But Rollins scored the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the third inning and blew open a close game with a six-run sixth frame to back a 15-hit offensive attack.
Sullivan was picked up in relief with two perfect innings from Fogle. Veronica Alred drove in five of the team's eight runs with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
In addition to Dixson's extra-base hit, Eckerd junior
Brittany Mitchell and senior
Chelsea Jeffares each recorded singles against Sullivan.
Game 2 – Rollins 9, Eckerd 1 (5 innings)
The Tars gave Fogle a 6-0 lead by the end of the third inning before Dixson punched in her second RBI of the day with a solo blast, her third home run of the spring.
Dixson pulled into a tie for the team lead with sophomore
Kara Oberer for home runs this season.
Rollins only had one more hit than Eckerd with a slim 6-5 edge, but a Courtney Durbin two-run home run capped three-run inning to seal the final score.
RC's Hilary Brown also cleared the bases with a three-run double as part of a four RBI effort in game two.
Five different Tritons recorded hits, including Dixson, Oberer,
Sydney Dinelli,
Amber Hay and
Kirby Parnell.
Up Next: Eckerd will host Georgia Southwestern State University on Tuesday for a doubleheader at the Turley Athletic Complex. Game one is slated to get underway at 5 p.m.
