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VALDOSTA, Ga. (May 4, 2012) - Rollins (40-10), serving as the No. 4 seed in the South Region Tournament, squared off with fifth-seed Ala.-Huntsville on Friday but fell just short, losing 3-2 in front of a crowd of about 250 fans on the campus of Valdosta State.
The Tars found themselves in a quick 1-0 hole in the first after the Chargers scored courtesy of an RBI single by Cortney McNett.
UAH would add one in third and another in the fourth, thanks to a solo shot by Abby MacKay, to extend the lead to 3-0.
Rollins would finally crack the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. The Tars loaded the bases with two outs, bringing up senior Lawna Hunter for the first real scoring chance of the afternoon for Rollins.
Chargers pitcher Whitney Gilbert looked to have pitched herself out of the jam, getting Hunter to send a ground ball towards second. But Kellie Johnson couldn't handle it cleanly and then sailed her throw past first, allowing two runs to come around to score to bring the Tars back within one, 3-2.
Rollins would threaten in the sixth, a leadoff double by senior Krista Rodden, and again in the seventh, a two out double by junior Aimee Halpin, but couldn't come up with the big hit they needed, dropping the first round contest, 3-2.
UAH improves to 42-14 with the win, and Rollins falls to 40-10.
Senior Hope Bitzer (21-6) suffered the loss, giving up three runs while scattering seven hits. She also struck out five.
Gilbert (18-6) was credited with the win, giving up two runs, neither earned, on five hits in seven innings pitched.
Rollins will now play Miles College, the loser of Friday's game two against top-seeded Valdosta State, Saturday at 4 pm. Fans can follow along live on the Tars Sports Network on RollinsSports.com
CLICK HERE FOR NCAA SOUTH REGIONAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
ROLLINS
