Bowen Twirls No-Hitter as Eagles Sweep Oakland

Polk State College pitcher Taylor Bowen tossed a no-hitter as the Eagles swept Oakland Community College of Michigan 3-0 and 8-0 Wednesday at the DiamondPlex.

In the opener, Bowen took a perfect game into the seventh inning. She fanned the first batter and walked the second.

An outfield error put two Raider runners on base before the freshman enticed a fly out and a notched her seventh strikeout.

Bowen (Gainesville/Santa Fe) raised her record to 7-5 on the season while the seventh-ranked Eagles improved to 18-8.

The no-hitter was bittersweet for Bowen.

She had lost perfect games five times in the seventh inning over her high school and competitive career.

Three times she lost a perfect game with two outs.

"It's frustrating," she said of missing her chance at perfection on Wednesday. "I was happy because I got the no-hitter and we won."

Bowen threw her curveball, screwball, change up and fastball throughout the game against Oakland (1-5).

"Taylor had an exceptional performance," said coach Jeff Ellis. "She threw the ball very well. I'm very proud of her. She was on top of her game from the get go."

"I was really comfortable," she said. "I got in my groove."

Bowen, who has thrown several no-hitters in her career, was also assisted by a diving catch in left field by Rose Stevens  (Bartow/Mulberry) in the third inning.

Kaitlyn Warren (Mulberry) and Brooke Threlkeld (Auburndale) drove in runs in the 3-0 victory.

Freshman Kayla Montgomery (Lakeland/George Jenkins) threw a complete-game, six-inning shutout for the victory in the second game. She gave up five hits and fanned four to improve to 5-2.

Lara Cecchetti (Italy) drove in two runs. Jen Hamil (Santa Fe, Texas), Rebekah Rogers (Lake Wales) and Rose Stevens (Bartow/Mulberry) also drove in runs.

The Eagles host Miami Dade Saturday at 1 p.m.