Box Score WINTER HAVEN – An 11-run first inning was all Polk State Baseball needed on Tuesday night to cruise past St. John's River State College, 12-5.

Entering Tuesday night's contest at Bing Tyus Yard, the Eagles had scored 11 runs in a game just twice in their first 16 contests but that's what they did before the Vikings could record a third out. The big bottom of the first inning turned a 2-run deficit into a 9-run lead.

Ray Mercer and Aaron Stelogeannis each scored twice during the frame. As a team, Polk State would finish the night with 15 hits. The Eagles didn't score again until pushing a run across in the eighth.

Ray Bermudez was among the many Polk State players to have monster nights at the plate. Bermudez finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Damion Kenealy also plated three runs in the victory.

All nine starters in the Polk State lineup finished with a hit. Kenealy, Stelogeannis, Travis Stapleton, and Aris Rivera each had two.

It wasn't a bad offensive night for St. John's River, either. The Vikings finished with 12 hits but left 15 men on base. They were held scoreless over the final four innings.

Sam Duvall picked up the win for Polk State after relieving Trevor Caldwell. Gage Allen worked three scoreless innings to close it out, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out four to pick up the save.

With the victory, Polk State has now won 10 of its last 12 games. The teams will meet again on Wednesday in Palatka. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.