Contact: Nate Weyant, Sports Information Director

407-646-2661

April 3, 2006

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ROLLINS ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS

***WOMEN'S GOLF RUNNERS-UP AT RYDER CHAMPIONSHIP; CAMPBELL WINS

***MEN'S GOLF RUNNERS-UP AT BOBCAT INVITATIONAL

***BASEBALL TAKES SERIES FROM FLORIDA TECH

***SOFTBALL KEEPS ROLLING; CRUZ BECOMES ALL-TIME HITS LEADER

***WOMEN'S TENNIS SPLITS WITH RANKED TEAMS

***MEN'S VARSITY FOUR FIFTH AT SAN DIEGO CREW CLASSIC

***MEN'S TENNIS TAKES FSC; FALLS TO FGCU

***NEWS AND NOTES – MYERS/MILLER – SHARE THE VISION WITH WOMEN' S GOLF

ROLLINS COLLEGE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Charlotte Campbell

Senior - Women's Golf

Heathrow, Fla.

Last week, Campbell won the Ryder Florida Collegiate Championship by one stroke, posting a three-round 221 (72-75-74), which placed her atop the 60-player field and earned her the title of “Florida's Best Collegiate Women's Golfer.”   The Tars placed second as a team, just six strokes behind Florida State in the field which included eight Division I teams from Florida and four SSC teams. The victory was the tenth of Campbell's illustrious career and second in three years at the Ryder. She is in the middle of her best season with the Tars as she won the Yale Invitational, Lady Moc Classic and Ryder this season and leads the Tars with a 74.61 stroke average.

Eduardo Chile

Senior - Baseball

Miami, Fla.

Eduardo Chile is a 6-0 195 pound right-hander from Hialeah, Florida.   Chile had his best outing of the year on Saturday, April 1 against Florida Tech, earning the Tars a huge SSC win.   He went all nine inning for the Tars giving up just one hit while striking out seven.   It was his first complete game shutout of the year and his fourth of his career. It was also his ninth career complete game.   On the season, Chile is now 4-4 with an ERA of 3.17.   He leads the team in innings pitched with 65.1, and strikeouts with 57.

WOMEN'S GOLF RUNNERS-UP AT RYDER CHAMPIONSHIP; CAMPBELL WINS

Last week: 2 nd of 12 teams at Ryder/Florida Women's Collegiate Championship

Rollins senior Charlotte Campbell tallied her 10th career collegiate victory and second at the Ryder/Florida Women's Championship, leading Rollins to a second place finish in the state's premier tournament on Sunday.

The NCAA Division II top ranked Tars shot 301 in the final round at Don Shula's Golf Resort for a three day total of 899 strokes, just six behind winner Florida State (893). The University of South Florida (907) took third place with Florida International (910) and Florida Southern (911) rounding out the top five.

Campbell was the tournament's most consistent golfer the entire weekend, carding three rounds of 75 or better. She opened with even par 72 and went for 75 on Saturday to set up a final round dual with FSU freshman Carolina Westrup, the two-day leader. At the turn on Sunday, Campbell had grabbed a three shot lead as she fired 36 on the front to Westrup's 40. The Tars superstar was then able to hold off the FSU youngster and a charging Ashley Grier from UCF on the back nine for her 10th career victory. One of those victories came in 2004 Ryder/Florida Women's Championships.

Senior Mariana De Biase tied with five other golfers for seventh place, shooting 78-72-75 for a three round total of 225. The placing was her sixth top 10 finish in as many tournaments this season. Vanessa Vela, the round one leader with 70 strokes, struggled to an 80 on day two, but finished strong with 76 on Sunday to tie for 13th with 226 strokes. Marie-Pierre Bernier carded 78-73-79 and tied for 21st with 230 strokes while Cristina Gugler shot rounds of 80-84-76 for a tournament total of 240.

Rollins returns to action April 10-11 at the 2006 Sunshine State Conference Tournament, hosted by Eckerd College at Lake Jovita Country Club in Dade City. Rollins will look to capture their fourth straight and conference leading sixth SSC championship.

MEN'S GOLF RUNNERS-UP AT BOBCAT INVITATIONAL

Last week: 2 nd of 16 teams

The Rollins men's golf team posted three rounds of 300 or better and finished in second place at the Bobcat Invitational, hosted by Georgia College and State University on Tuesday. The Tars turned in the best score of round one, firing a six over par 292 and followed with rounds of 293 and 300 for a tournament total of 885 shots.

South Carolina-Aiken finished eight shots up on Rollins and won the event with an 877. Sunshine State Conference rival Florida Southern was one shot back of the Tars at 866 with West Florida (894) and Valdosta State (895) rounding out the top five.

Senior Dan Walters led the Tars in the tournament, shooting even par 70 in the first round, 74 in round two and 72 on the final day to finish in fourth with 216 strokes Andrew Pranger placed an even par 70 second round between rounds of 76 and tied for 12th place at 222 shots. Scott Wilson also had a big second round, shooting 71 to go along with a first round 75 and final day 79 to tie for 20th place (225). Tim Acquaviva came in a tie for 25th, shooting 227 (76-78-73) in the event while Darren Lundgren came in a tie for 43rd at 232 (71-82-79).

Rollins returns to action on April 2-4 at the Southeastern Invitational in Valdosta, Georgia.

BASEBALL TAKES SERIES FROM FLORIDA TECH

Last week:

Rollins 4, Saint Leo 2

Rollins 9, Florida Tech 4

Rollins 7, Florida Tech 0

Florida Tech 5, Rollins 1

The Rollins baseball team enjoyed a successful week last week going 3-1 and gaining their second conference series win of the season.   The Tars began the week defending their home field with a non-conference win over SSC foe, Saint Leo, 4-2.   Then, over the weekend the Tars took two out of three from the Florida Tech Panthers avenging a loss in the first game of the season.   The Tars took the first and second games of the series, 9-4 and 7-0.   However, they weren't able to finish off the sweep, dropping the third game 5-1.

The Tars began the week with a big non-conference win over SSC foe, Saint Leo 4-2.   The Tars had to use some late inning heroics from a senior leader to down the Lions.   Senior Rob Cloar got the winning hit on a two RBI single to the gap in right center.   Cloar also worked two innings in relief for his first win on the season.

The Rollins' bats were led by senior outfielder Brent Magnuson who went 2-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Freshman outfielder Tyler Hartman and junior third baseman Gene Howard each knocked out two hits with senior outfielder Rob Cloar racking up the two winning RBI on a single to the gap.

Junior Jonathan Wano started the game for the Tars and ran into early trouble, giving up two runs in the top of the first.   The right hander would settle down nicely soon after and find his groove.   Wano ended up going six inning giving up two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four.   Senior Rob Cloar came in to relieve Wano and got the win.   Cloar worked two innings without allowing a run on two hits while striking out four.   Junior Gene Howard worked the ninth and despite giving up two hits and walk, he was still able to pick up his third save on the year.

On Friday night, the Tars opened up a three game set against the Florida Tech Panthers, who had handed Rollins an opening day 8-0 loss in Melbourne.   The Tars began the series by exacting some revenge with a 9-4 win.   The Tars got a big boost of offense, taking advantage of three Panther errors and leaving just five men on base. Junior starting pitcher David Nathanson gave Rollins 7.1 strong innings to gain his team leading fourth victory on the year.

The Tars were led offensively by sophomore designated hitter Steve Mannenbach. Mannenbach went 3-4 on the night with a run scored and three RBI. Junior shortstop Ryan McKenzie went 2-4 with a run scored, two doubles, and two runs batted in. Freshman outfielder Anthony Soto went 2-3 with two runs scored. And sophomore first baseman Stefano Foggi went 1-3 with two runs scored, and his first home run of the season.

Then on Saturday, the Tars split a double-header with the Panthers.   Rollins took the first game 7-0, but couldn't complete the sweep as they fell in the second game 5-1.   The Tars got a superb pitching performance from their senior ace, Eduardo Chile.   Chile pitched his first complete game shutout of the season, giving up just one hit while striking out seven.   In the second game, Mario Lombardo was touched up early and the Tars' bats could never recover.

In the first game, the Tars were led offensively by junior third baseman Gene Howard. Howard went 2-5 with two runs scored, a triple, a homer, and three runs batted in. Freshman outfielder Anthony Soto put up some good numbers as well. Soto went 2-5 with two runs scored, a homer of his own, and two runs batted in. Junior shortstop Ryan McKenzie went 3-5 on the day with a RBI. And sophomore designated hitter Stephen Mannenbach went 1-2 with a RBI and two walks.

Eduardo Chile was nearly un-hittable for the Tars. Chile pitched his first complete game shutout of the year and his fourth of his career. It was also his ninth career complete game. Chile gave up just one hit on the day while striking out seven and walking two. The senior right hander used his pitches very efficiently, getting the anxious Panthers to swing early in counts. He threw just 92 pitches in nine innings of work.

Rollins couldn't get the same explosive offense in the second game. No one on the team recorded multiple hits. Sophomore first baseman Stefano Foggi drove in the team's only run on a ground out to the third baseman. Senior outfielder Brent Magnuson went 1-2 with a run scored and a walk.

Junior starting pitcher Mario Lombardo went five innings giving up five runs only three of which were earned on six hits.

The Tars game that was originally scheduled for Tuesday April 4 against Embry-Riddle has been canceled.   The Tars will be back in action on Friday April 7 when they will travel to Saint Leo to start a three game series with the Lions.   First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm.

SOFTBALL KEEPS ROLLING; CRUZ BECOMES ALL-TIME HITS LEADER

Last week:

Rollins 2, Florida Tech 1

Florida Tech 12, Rollins 1 (5 inn.)

Florida Tech 3, Rollins 2 (10 inn.)

The Rollins College softball team went 1-2 this past week in a weekend series against conference team Florida Tech.   Rollins took the opening game of the series 2-1, in come from behind fashion, scoring the winning run in the top of the seventh.   The Panthers then stole the show in the Saturday afternoon double header, winning game one 12-1 in five innings and game two 3-2 in 10 innings.   It wasn't all bad news for the Tars, as senior shortstop Kelly Cruz became the Rollins All-Time Hits Leader with 195 hits in her four year career, surpassing former Tar Jody Horton.   The Tars are now 31-10 on the season and 9-6 in the Sunshine State Conference.  

After dropping the first run of the game in the bottom of the first to the Florida Tech Panthers, the Rollins College Tars had their bats come alive in the later innings and came away with a 2-1 victory on Friday afternoon in Melbourne.   Sophomore Ingrid Schumacher knocked a double to the center field fence scoring senior Kelly Cruz from second base, giving the Tars the go ahead run in the top of the seventh.  

Florida Tech opened the game with a fury, getting two hits and one run in the bottom of the first.   Katie Naumoff reached on an error by the Tars and then Megan Hube doubled to center field scoring Naumoff, giving the Panthers the 1-0 lead.

Through the middle innings, the pitchers on both teams controlled the tempo.   Panthers' pitcher Amber West allowed only five hits without walking a single batter and struck out 11 in seven innings of work.   Freshman Nicole Anderson started the game for the Tars and in two innings, gave up four hits and one unearned run.   Schumacher came on in the third and surrendered five hits and one walk but did not allow any runs.  

The Tars started to gain the momentum in the game during the top of the sixth inning, when junior Amanda DeFilippo doubled to center field, followed by a Devon Kontos single up the middle.   After a Jennifer Olsen bunt to advance Kontos to second, DeFilippo scored on a passed ball, tying the game at one.   After allowing the Panthers to get two base runners in the bottom of the sixth, Schumacher got Naumoff to fly out to center field, stranding the runners on second and third, keeping the game tied.   Cruz then opened the seventh with her double and with two out, Schumacher doubled Cruz home for the go ahead run.   The Tars defense held strong in the bottom of the seventh, sealing the victory.  

The two teams returned to the field on Saturday and the Panthers immediately took control of the game.   After opening the game by scoring one run in the first, the Panthers exploded for nine hits and 11 runs in the second inning, including two grand slams, one by Megan Hube and the second by Dana Buccelli.   Rollins would rally to score one run in the fifth after sophomore Olsen hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring junior DeFilippo from third.  

The second game was a complete opposite to the first, as the two teams struggled to get runs across the plate.   The teams combined left a total of 18 runners stranded on base.   Rollins opened the scoring in the second as Kontos singled in DeFilippo from third base.   The Panthers answered in the third when Katie Naumoff singled up the middle, scoring Buccelli from third.  

Both teams then turned up their defense and held each other scoreless, sending the game into extra innings.   The Tars opened the ninth inning with an Ashley East single through the left side.   Kontos advanced East to second with a sacrifice bunt and then sophomore Rachel Almengual singled East home.   The go-ahead run for the Tars did not last long as the Panthers put another run on the board in the ninth as Naumoff scored from third off a Kelly Darden sacrifice fly to right field.  

In the 10 th inning, international rules came into effect, as a runner was placed on second base to begin the inning.   Rollins threatened, as Rausch was able to advance to third on a Stacy Sanders sacrifice bunt, but the next two hitters could not get Rausch home.

The Panthers came to bat in the 10 th and moved the runner to third base off a sacrifice bunt.   Laura Chisena then stepped to the plate with two outs and the runner on third and singled to center field, scoring the winning run.

Rollins will return to the field on Tuesday, April 4 at 7 p.m., when they travel to Lakeland, Fla. to take on Florida Southern.   The two teams will then meet for a double header on Wednesday in Lakeland at 6:00 p.m.   The Tars will then head north to Georgia to take part in the Fort Valley State Tournament on Friday, April 7 and Saturday April 8 and play Albany State on a Sunday double header.

WOMEN'S TENNIS SPLITS WITH RANKED TEAMS

Last week:

Armstrong Atlantic 9, Rollins 0

Rollins 5, Northwood (Mich.) 1

Rollins' No. 1 doubles team had Armstrong Atlantic's squad on the ropes, but was unable to smash home the winner as the Pirates dealt the Tars a 9-0 defeat on Wednesday. Top ranked Armstrong Atlantic improves to 18-0 and extends their 48 match winning streak while the 14 th ranked Tars drop to 9-7 on the season.

In No. 1 doubles action, seventh ranked Tasi Purcell and Marnie Mahler held a 7-3 lead over third ranked Luisa Cowper and Iuliia Stupak, but were couldn't hit the winner and fell in a heartbreaker, 9-7. Twelfth ranked Johanna Dahlback and Dziyana Nazaruk took Soni Bernal and Cassie Webster 8-0 in the No. 2 match with Kristin Kelly and Manuela Emmrich winning 8-1 at No. 3 doubles over Anastasiya Shevchenko and Silvia Frandji.

The No. 1 singles match was a close bout at the beginning as fifth ranked Stupak won the first set 7-5 over No. 24 Tasi Purcell before coming back with a 6-4 win in the second set. Third ranked Cowper was a straight set winner over No. 35 Marnie Mahler 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 2 match with eighth ranked Nazaruk winning the No. 3 position 6-1, 7-5 over Bernal. No. 16 Dahlback won the No. 4 match over Shevchenko 6-3, default, No. 48 Emmrich was a 6-2, 6-0 winner over Frandji in the No. 5 slot and Kelly downed Webster 6-0, 6-2 at No. 6 singles.

The Tars got back on top later in the week as Rollins took a 2-1 lead after doubles and scored three quick victories in singles to down No. 16 Northwood (Mich.) 5-1 on Friday. Rollins improves to 10-7 on the year while the Timberwolves, fresh off a victory over eighth ranked Eckerd, suffer their first loss of the season and drop to 17-1.

Seventh Ranked Tasi Purcell and Marnie Mahler held rank over No. 10 Julia Goncalves and Carolin Rosskothen, winning the No. 1 doubles match 8-4. Anastasiya Shevchenko and Silvia Frandji were also winners for the Tars, taking the No. 3 match over Cristina Oliveira and Whitney Parr 8-1. Northwood picked up a win in the No. 2 match as Sue Rossano and Desiree Roset downed Sonia Bernal and Cassie Webster 8-5.

Rollins quickly raced out to three victories in singles to close out the match. No. 24 Purcell upset No. 19 Rossano in straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-1 in the No. 1 match. No. 35 Mahler took the No. 2 match over Rosskothen 6-3, 6-1 with Webster winning in the No. 3 position, 6-1, 6-0 over Parr.

Rollins returns to action on Tuesday, April 4 with a 3:30 p.m. match at home against North Florida.

MEN'S VARSITY FOUR FIFTH AT SAN DIEGO CREW CLASSIC

Last week: varsity eight 5 th at San Diego Crew Classic

The Tars went up against the best of the best last week at the San Diego Crew Classic and held their own, taking fifth place in the Men's Cal Cup Eight.

The boat of Colleen Reagan, Drew Brodnax, Shawn Tavares, Skyler Wilson, Eric Fraser, Trevor Luna, David Bagby, Brandon Koch and Collin Campbell put together one of their gutsiest performances of the year in one of the most difficult races.

Rollins came out of the gates on a mission, completing the first 500 meters in second place, just over a second behind leader Gonzaga and two seconds ahead of Texas and Washington State. The field began to string out at the halfway point with the ‘Zags holding a two second lead over the Tars and Washington State two ticks back of the Blue and Gold. The bigger schools then began to pull away in the last fourth of the race with Gonzaga winning in 6:05.50, Washington State coming in second (6:08.91) and Texas taking third (6:11.25). Notre Dame edged Rollins at the line to finish in fourth in 6:14.49 while the Tars stopped the clock at 6:16.24 and UC-San Diego coming sixth in 6:17.52.

Rollins returns to action on Saturday, April 8 at the FIRA Championships in Miami.

MEN'S TENNIS TAKES FSC; FALLS TO FGCU

Last week:

Rollins 5, Florida Southern 2

Florida Gulf Coast 5, Rollins 4

Rollins picked up two points in doubles and ran off three quick wins in singles as the No. 14 Tars upended No. 9 Florida Southern 5-2 on Saturday. The big win evens the Tars at 8-8 overall and 3-2 in Sunshine State Conference play with Mocs falling to 11-7, 2-2 SSC.

The Tars jumped out to an early lead, going 2-1 in doubles competition. No. 20 Carlos Custodio and Brian Compton improved to 3-1 together, defeating Milos Koprivica and Isaac Galindo 8-4 in the No. 1 match. Florida Southern scored a point in the No. 2 match as Michael Knoedler and Alex Thesleff downed David Tafur and Jonathan Gomez 8-5. Michael Schwartz and Adrian Tan picked up a win at No. 3 doubles, taking Justin LaFlamme and Adam Flintoff 8-4.

No. 16 Custodio recorded an upset in the No. 1 singles slot and avenged a loss in the finals of the Varner Invitational earlier in the year as he defeated No. 6 Koprivica 7-6(14-12), 7-6(10-8). Gomez won at the No. 3 position for the Tars, taking Flintoff 6-4, 6-4 with Tafur sealing up the Tars win at No. 4 singles, winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 over Galindo.

Fresh off the upset over Florida Southern on Saturday, the Tars suffered an upset of their own as No. 14 Rollins fell to No. 19 Florida Gulf Coast 5-4 on Sunday. The Tars took two doubles matches, but were unable to come up with the decisive win in No. 3 singles and fall to 8-9 on the year.

No. 20 Carlos Custodio and Brian Compton knocked off their second straight higher ranked team, downing No. 13 Juan Carlos Osorio and Tim Offerman 8-2 in the top doubles match. The Tars also got a point in the No. 2 match as David Tafur and Jonathan Gomez took Alberto Gutierrez and Gavin Manders 8-6. Edson Lima and Danny Lee won in the No. 3 doubles match for the Eagles (15-3), downing Michael Schwartz and Adrian Tan 8-2.

In the singles competition, No. 16 Custodio fell to second ranked Osorio 6-3, 6-1 in the No. 1 match with Offerman taking Gomez 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 2 match for Florida Gulf Coast. David Tafur was a quick 6-0, 6-2 winner over Manders in the No. 4 match for the Tars while Compton took the No. 5 match over Lee 6-4, 6-4. Lima evened the score for the hosts in the No. 6 slot as he defeated Albin Hubscher 6-4, 6-4 to set up the decisive No. 3 match.

Rollins' Tan dropped the first set to Gutierrez 6-4, but came back to win in the second, 6-4. The two were back and forth the entire third set with Gutierrez winning in a tie breaker, 7-6 (5) and giving the Eagles the win.

Rollins returns to action on Wednesday, April 5 at Saint Leo with play slated for 3 p.m.

NEWS AND NOTES

SHARE THE VISION WITH ROLLINS WOMEN'S GOLF LEGENDS AT REUNION

Dear Friends of Rollins Athletics,

I am so excited to extend to you a wonderful opportunity to “Share the Vision” of Rollins Women's Golf.   David Lord, Rollins class of 1969 and a member of the board of Trustees, has graciously donated his home at Reunion, Florida, site of the LPGA Ginn Open for use by the women's golf team during the entire LPGA event, from April 27-30.   David's house is located just off the number one green of the Palmer course with a spectacular view.   His home is a perfect venue to celebrate the return of the LPGA to Orlando, as well as to share the history and tradition of excellence that Rollins women's golf has enjoyed since the beginning.

Attached is your personal invitation to the brunch and hospitality house.   The brunch on Saturday will celebrate all of the legendary women who have helped establish the Rollins women's golf program as one of the premier teams in the country.   We are honored to have Carolyn Bivens, the Commissioner of the LPGA, as one of our honored guests.   We will gather to venerate our successes, including Marlene Streit's induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, as well as the 14 USGA Championships won by Rollins golfers.   And, the house will be open all four days of the tournament for Rollins friends and family to enjoy some refreshments as they soak in the LPGA atmosphere.   Please check our website after April 1 for updates on events.   Please RSVP to me via email at jgarner@rollins.edu , or call (407) 646-2601.

We have had a terrific start to our championship run!   Our team is now 3-for-3 in our spring season, having won every tournament so far.   We are leaving for Miami tomorrow to complete in the Ryder Florida Collegiate Championship.   I hope you caught some of the season's coverage on the Golf Channel on “College Central.”    We have received wonderful press with a very nice quote about Rollins Women's Golf and a “College Dynasty.”   I am so proud of our team, their performance on the golf course and their ability to excel in the classroom.   Our team GPA was 3.52 for the fall semester, which was the highest of any team at Rollins.   Immediately following the brunch on Saturday, we will take the first step in NCAA regional tournament play to capture our fourth consecutive NCAA National Championship!

On behalf of the 2005-06 women's golf team, we look forward to seeing you at Reunion as we host this exciting and fun event, share our vision for growing the golf program, unveil our plans for a new on-campus short-game facility and honor the Legends of Rollins Women's Golf.   If you have any questions, or need any further information, please don't hesitate to contact me.   GO TARS!!

Sincerely,

Julie Garner

Head Women's Golf Coach

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

http://www.rollins.edu/athletics/golf/womens/documents/Share%20the%20Vision%20invitation.doc

THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE 2006 MYERS-MILLER TEAM GOLF TOURNAMENT

The annual Myers-Miller Rollins Team Golf Tournament will be held this year on Monday, April 24th at Interlachen Country Club . 

http://www.rollins.edu/athletics/documents/2006myersmillerflyer_000.pdf