WINTER HAVEN – During her tenure as head coach for Polk State Softball, Donna Byars has regularly sought local talent to fill her roster. This offseason, she's taken that same approach with her coaching staff.

Miranda Pollock, 24, has been tabbed as a new assistant coach for the Eagles. Pollock spent last season as a high school assistant at her alma mater McKeel Academy in Lakeland.

"Being able to coach at a higher level has always appealed to me," Pollock said. "In high school, they're still learning the game. Here, it's more about guiding them to perform better and to compete at a higher level."

A former All-County first baseman at McKeel, Pollock was able to play seven years of varsity softball – from sixth grade through high school.

"Softball has always been a big part of my life," she said. "I wanted to be able to do for these players what my coaches did for me. I was fortunate to have a lot of great coaches over the years. Being able to see something you say help them is the most rewarding part. It's great to be able to do something you love and this was a great opportunity."

Polk State finished 15-28 in 2022 – tripling its win total from the year prior. Including honorable mention selections, the Eagles had eight players earn All-Suncoast Conference honors last season.

"I see huge potential here," Pollock added. "There's a lot of really good talent here. I can see the motivation, determination, and drive in them."

The Eagles have just begun conditioning this fall as they prepare for the 2023 season. Pollock has already made a strong first impression with her head coach.

"Miranda was always a great athlete and a great hitter," Byars said. "She knows the game. I can already see that she has a great rapport with the players."

Born and raised in Lakeland, Pollock and her husband of nearly six years, Gabriel Pollock, have two kids, Charity, 4, and Ben, 2. Pollock has had an affinity for the diamond since she was her oldest child's age. She credits her parents, Dennis and Kim Green, for instilling the love for the game in her.

"My parents traveled all over with me, just so I could play softball," Pollock recalled. "I think they loved it as much as I did. It's fun to be able to compete in a team atmosphere. There's a lot of life lessons that I learned from playing softball."

Following a much-improved season, the Eagles will look to take the next step in 2023 and reach the FCSAA Tournament. The 15 wins and fifth-place finish in the Suncoast Conference last season were the best marks for Polk State since 2019.

"I'm excited to be part of this program and to see how we grow," Pollock said. "Coach Byars has a lot of knowledge. I've learned so much from her already. She's excelled everywhere she's gone as a player and a coach and I'm happy to be part of her staff."