The Sandspur

Issue date: 3/21/08 Section: Sports

There is a great sense of confidence and optimism coming from a team staring down their last 20 games of the 2008 regular season. The Tars are looking for a late season jolt to improve their Sunshine State Conference record, and this is a better time than any to get back on track. With 14 of the next 20 vital games against SSC contenders, Rollins needs their potent offense and stellar starting pitching to have the way.

A 2-4 SSC record has earned the Tars one spot greater than last place Eckerd College, but their potential is certainly not limited. Starting pitching led by Matt White, Marc Hewitt and SSC pitcher of the week Mario Lombardo has combined 14-3 overall and the offense has totaled 230 runs in 29 games.

"We don't have many holes on our team," says junior middle infielder and relief pitcher Marty Cornish, who was out last season with an injury. "We actually have more depth than last season."

Beginning with an afternoon matchup against Tiffin on the 19th, the Tars will try to recover from losing two out of three to a tough Florida Tech ball club. The team lost ten to six in game one of the double header on the 15th with Matt White on the hill followed by a close three to four defeat against Tech on the 16th.

The one win was their three to one nightcap victory behind starting pitcher Mario Lombardo, who has been lights out in 2008. He remains undefeated this year with six wins and a 1.63 ERA, leading the SSC. Senior center fielder Corey Whiting batted .500 in the double header with four hits and an RBI. Junior right fielder

Jesse More hit and RBI in the second of game two and scored in the sixth to give the Tars the three to one advantage.

Rollins will be tested this weekend against the second place, 4-2 Saint Leo University starting with a 7pm Friday night contest. The Tars are calling for solid pitching throughout as well as some sound defense to win the tight games.

"Our offense hasn't had much trouble. We're hitting the ball really well," says sophomore catcher Ben Hewitt, who has been great behind the plate for the Tars this year.

He swung for 3 RBI's against Georgetown on the 6th. Averaging about eight runs a game, Rollins will rely on their prolific offense to show up for the crucial SSC matchups in the next month and a half.

Marty Cornish has been content with his injury-free 2008 season, pitching six innings of solid relief against Holy Cross College in the beginning of March, allowing two earned runs.

"I think all our pitchers are doin' pretty well in terms of staying healthy," says Cornish. "We're really going to have to step up in the close games."

Considering the fact that Rollins has not been familiar with margins greater than four runs in their last six SSC games, winning the close ones will be a must for the Tars and their bid for the title.

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