Box Score WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Baseball made a valiant effort in the late innings of its home opener on Wednesday, but ultimately came up short in an 11-6 loss to Santa Fe College.

After trailing by nine, the Eagles (0-5) were one baserunner away from bringing the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth. Santa Fe lefty Ryan Brown was able to retire his final two hitters to end the contest.

Polk State entered the bottom the eighth on the short end of an 11-2 score. The Eagles added two in the frame. After Evan Wainman drove one in with an RBI groundout, Aris Rivera came around to score on a wild pitch.

In the ninth, Polk State scored a run and loaded the bases before an out was recorded on J'Quann Smith's second RBI single of the game. Roberto Odor, in his lone at-bat, kept the rally going with an RBI infield single. That's where the rally would end, however.

Santa Fe seized control in the third inning. After doubling home of the Saints' two first-inning runs, JP Herrholz blasted a grand slam to dead center to give Santa Fe a 6-0 lead.

Polk State got two back in the bottom of the inning. After Pierce Glading scored on a wild pitch, Smith singled home Everett Martin.

Santa Fe was able to pad its lead with two runs in the fifth and three in the sixth inning. Herrholz finished with six RBIs in the victory. Grant Gallagher and Gaven Book each scored three runs for the Saints. Herholz and Book each had two of the eight Santa Fe hits.

Smith and Glading each finished with three hits for Polk State. Glading's seventh-inning double served as the lone extra-base hit of the game for Polk State.

Starting pitcher Trevor Caldwell took the loss for the Eagles, allowing six runs on five hits in three innings of work. Caldwell struck out five.

Polk State got good late innings from its bullpen to keep the contest from getting further out of hand. Ryan Combs worked a 1-2-3 eight inning before Damion Kenealy struck out two during a scoreless ninth.

Santa Fe starter Corey Braun went six strong innings, allowing just two runs on four hits. Braun struck out five while earning the victory.

The loss for Polk State is its first in a home opener since 2015. The Eagles will hit the road on Saturday to take on Daytona State College. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.