The Rollins College Tars (27-6, 18-4 SSC) scored five runs in the fifth inning Friday night, winning the opening game of a Sunshine State Conference softball series at Nancy Bottge Field 5-0 over the Florida Tech Panthers (31-19, 14-14 SSC).

Ashley Worrell went the distance for the Tars in the circle, improving her record to 14-3 and sending Rollins to their eighth straight win. Samantha Guider was in the circle to start for the Panthers, and both hurlers got through four innings without allowing a run.  

Grace Germer started the fifth with a bunt single against Guider. After Tristin Peace reached on an error. A second error on the play put runners at second and third and a wild pitch brought Germer home. A bunt single by Raiven Bryant later in the inning made it 2-0 and Chelsea Peace capped the frame off with a three-run home run, giving the Tars a 5-0 lead.

The Panthers managed just three hits offensively, but the defense turned a rare triple play in the top of the seventh inning with reliever Kelsie Rivers in the circle. Bryant started the inning with an infield single and Chelsea Peace walked, bringing Worrell to the plate.

Worrell hit an 0-1 pitch to Chloe French at second who threw to Mikayla Wessel at short to get the out at second. Wessel threw to Victoria Szrom at first and although it looked like Worrell was well past the bag at first, she was called out and Wessel threw home in time to get the runner and complete a triple play. In the book, it goes down as 4-6-3-2.

For more info: Rollins @ Florida Tech Box Score

The series continues on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at noon. The Florida Tech seniors will be honored prior to the game, so tune into the stream early.