Box Score 1 WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Polk State Softball turned in a total team effort in game one of a scheduled doubleheader against Eastern Florida State College on Thursday. Timely hitting and a complete game from the circle by sophomore Kailey Guethle earned the Eagles a 3-2 win in the first contest. Polk had manufactured a 2-0 lead over Eastern Florida in the bottom of the third in game two before the contest was suspended due to a facility issue. 

GAME ONE:

After a pair of scoreless frames to open the game, the Eagles struck first in the bottom of the third, when sophomore outfielder Alma Fernandez drilled one up the middle that made it all the way to the center field warning track. The double drove home freshman Chelsi Rae' Hebert to put the Eagles on top 1-0. The double was Fernandez's team-best sixth of the season.

An RBI single by Faith Campos evened things up 1-1 for the Titans in the top of the fourth. 

However, the Eagles responded again in the bottom of the fifth, when freshman infielder Alexis Thomas crushed a no-doubter over the center field fence. The home run was the first of Thomas' collegiate career. 

EFSC tied things up again in the top of the sixth, after Sam Clark drove one home up the middle. However, Polk State had the last word in the bottom of the sixth. A single by Guethle up the middle was fielded by the Titans centerfielder, who attempted to throw out Fernandez at third. The throw sailed into the Titans' dugout and allowed the go-ahead run in Fernandez to cross home plate. 

Guethle earned the victory in her first complete game of the season, improving her record to 4-2. The Bartow native allowed four hits over seven innings with just one earned run, two walks, two strikeouts, and nine groundouts. 

GAME TWO:

Guethle continued to make an impact for Polk in the second game, putting the Eagles ahead 1-0 with an RBI infield single in the bottom of the first that scored Hebert from third.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Kyra Ward had set a dynamic pace in the circle for Polk in the start, striking out four over three scoreless innings. 

In the bottom of the third inning with one out, Fernandez reached first on a dropped fly ball by the Titans' left fielder that allowed Kanitria Antenor to score for Polk and grow its lead to 2-0. 

However, immediately following the play, the Titans' head coach put the game under protest due to a lighting issue at the Diamond Plex. After discussion with the officials, it was ruled that the game would not continue under the current conditions. The game is currently suspended pending administrative review.

"I'm extremely proud of the effort our young women displayed today," said Polk State Head Coach Mark Skapin. "Game one was extremely fun softball to be a part of and it was awesome to see us put together a great team effort."

With the win in game one, the Eagles improved to 8-7 — the program's best 15-game start since 2018. The Titans fell to 11-14. 

Polk will remain at home for a doubleheader against Marian University's Ancilla College this Sunday. Game times are scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m.