WINTER HAVEN - Polk State Softball concluded the non-conference portion of its season with a resounding 12-0 victory over the Manchester University JV squad on Friday afternoon. 
 
Six different players had multi-hit games for the Eagles (13-14) and Polk pitching accumulated for 12 strikeouts from the circle. The Eagles moved above .500 at home this season (7-6) with the victory.
 
"I told the team before the game to go out and there and have fun," said Polk State Head Coach Mark Skapin. "We played loose and it translated into success in all facets of the game. It was great to see everyone who was out on the field play a part."
 
The Eagles jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead over the Spartans in the bottom of the first, thanks to a pair of sacrifice flies by Alma Fernandez and Suheily Mercado and a Manchester error. 
 
Polk opened things up further with five runs in the bottom of the second, where the Eagles had a run of four consecutive RBI base hits. Mercado recorded the first multi-RBI game of her collegiate career with an RBI-double to left center to finish her day 2-for-2 at the plate.
 
Aside from back-to-back singles conceded in the top of the second, Polk starting pitcher Baileigh Herrera retired the remaining nine batters she faced with seven of those being sat down on strikes.
 
Kyra Ward relieved Herrera in the top of the fourth and retired six of the seven batters she faced with five punchouts. 
 
Kailey Guethle and Emma Hart each joined Mercado in the two-RBI club.
 
The Eagles are set to open Suncoast Conference play Tuesday on the road against St. Petersburg College in a doubleheader. Game times are set for 12 and 2 p.m.