Box Score BRADENTON — A pivotal Suncoast Conference series didn't begin as Polk State Baseball had hoped on Friday night as State College of Florida-Manatee rolled to a 14-4 victory.
Polk State starting pitcher
Evan Koehler entered the week leading the FCSAA in strikeouts and ranking fourth in ERA, but the Manatees got to him early. SCF raced to a 10-0 lead in the first inning before cruising to victory.
State College of Florida needed just seven innings to complete the run-rule victory. A wild pitch ultimately ended the contest.
While Koehler struggled, Michael Forret went the distance for the Manatees, striking out 10 Eagles in the process. Offensively, Lucas Ismaili finished with two hits and three RBIs for SCF.
Erick Almonte and Brayden Woodburn each plated two runs in the win. For Polk State,
Aris Rivera and
Nelson Taylor each had two hits.
Damion Kenealy,
Ray Bermudez,
Travis Stapleton, and
Aaron Stelogeannis each recorded RBIs in the defeat.
With the loss, Polk State has now lost three of its last four games and fallen two games back of the Manatees in the Suncoast Conference standings. The teams will meet again on Saturday at Bing Tyus Yard. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
