WINTER HAVEN - For the first time this season, Polk State Baseball was kept off the scoreboard. The Eagles were defeated by State College of Florida-Manatee 9-0 on Saturday to take a 2-0 deficit in the Suncoast Conference series.
 
The Eagles (21-15, 6-4 Suncoast)  were only able to muster three hits after being no-hit entering the sixth inning by SCF (20-18, 9-1 Suncoast) starting pitcher Ed Wagner. Wagner walked just one and struck out 12, as he and Connor Hults combined for 16 total strikeouts on the day, which was a season-high for the Manatees.
 
The Manatees scored their first six runs on three home runs. Mario Lopez Jr. launched a solo shot to left in the top of the second. Kevin Karstetter blasted a three-run dinger to center in the top of the third, and Brayden Woodburn tattooed one to center in the top of the sixth.
 
After conceding the three-run homer to Karstetter in the top of the third, Polk State starter Aiden Butler responded well, sitting down nine straight Manatees to build solid rhythm and keep the deficit manageable. Butler finished with four strikeouts through 6.2 innings pitched and fell to 2-3 on the season with the losing decision.
 
However, the Polk State offense continued to struggle throughout the contest. The Eagles were 0-for-12 as an offensive unit with runners on base and only advanced four runners into scoring position on the day.
 
The Manatees were able to tack on three runs on four hits and a walk off of Sam Duvall, who relieved Butler with two outs in the top of the seventh.
 
Roberto Odor was the only Polk hitter to reach first safely multiple times in the contest, going 1-for-2 with a walk.
 
The Eagles will try to snap a three-game Suncoast skid on Monday in Bradenton against SCF in game three of the series. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.