WINTER PARK, Fla. – UWF baseball rallied late but could not stave off Rollins in the series opener at Harper-Shepherd Field Friday evening. The Argos scored six times in the sixth and once in the seventh to erase a 7-1 deficit before Rollins plated a pair in the ninth to win 9-8.

"We made a great comeback being down six and coming back to to take the lead. We just have to learn to close the deal," said UWF head coach Mike Jeffcoat. "Lots of positives to build off of and negatives to learn from."
 
Jared Middleton got the start for the Argos and struggled. He was tagged for four runs in the second as the Tars raced out to an early lead. He would finish with four frames of work, allowing eight hits and six runs (six earned) before being lifted for Daniel Floyd.
 
UWF got on the board in fourth on an RBI single by Matthew Estrada to score Isaac Phillips, but Rollins answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7-1 edge.
 
In the sixth, the Argos ignited a six-run inning for the second time this season. Estrada started the scoring with an RBI single to score Adam Imwalle. Robert Lopez then doubled to plate a pair more. Matt Sullivan picked up an RBI on a hit-by-pitch before Imwalle singled to short to score two more. UWF also scored six runs in a single inning to erase a late deficit vs. Florida Southern Feb. 1.
 
The Argos took the lead shortly thereafter on an RBI fielder's choice hit into by Dylan Menhennett in the seventh. Jay Simpson provided back-to-back scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh to allow UWF to steal the lead. He finished with no runs, no hits, two strikeouts and one walk in 2.1 innings pitched.
 
Josh Pahlad entered the game with one out and one on in the bottom of the eighth, posting a scoreless frame behind Simpson to keep the Argo lead intact. He remained in for the ninth, where the Tars boarded a pair against him with one out. Jack Gonzales then singled to tie the game at 8-8.
 
Dylan Mills-Derouen entered for the Argos in place of Pahlad with men on the corners and one out in the ninth. Facing Eddie Ayala, Mills-Derouen threw a wild pitch that allowed Isaiah Russe to score, giving Rollins a dramatic walkoff win.
 
Mills-Derouen (0-1) suffered the loss, while the win went to Kyle Kramer (1-0), who held the Argos scoreless in the top of the ninth.
 
UWF (1-3) was led offensively by Estrada, who paced the squad with two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs. He now has seven hits, five runs and five RBIs in four games this season. Imwalle also finished with two hits. Phillips scored a pair of runs.
 
Rollins was paced by Gonzales, who finished with three hits and three RBIs. The Tars (3-1) have now won two straight series openers in 2019. The loss snapped UWF's four-game win streak vs. Rollins.
 
The second game of the three-game set is now scheduled for 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT due to the threat of inclement weather.
 
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