WINTER HAVEN - Polk State Softball continued a difficult start to Suncoast Conference play, as it was swept by Hillsborough Community College on Friday night. The Eagles were edged in a highly competitive game one 2-1 before struggling in the second contest that ended in an 8-0 defeat. 

The Eagles (13-18, 0-4 Suncoast) have now lost four straight, while the Hawks (17-16, 6-0 Suncoast) maintained a firm grasp of first place in the conference standings. 

GAME ONE:

It was a pitcher's duel early on between Hillsborough's Ashleigh Penix and Polk's Baileigh Herrera, as the game remained scoreless through the first three frames. Herrera racked up four strikeouts during that stretch.

The Hawks broke through in the top of the fourth after a sequence of three straight base knocks that was capped off by a two-run double by Shaniyah Pope that put HCC on top 2-1.

The Eagles answered in the bottom of the frame with an RBI-double off the bat of Kailey Guethle that drove home Alma Fernandez and trimmed the deficit to one.

Polk had multiple opportunities to tie the game or take the lead from that point on, including having runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the seventh. However, the Eagles hit a collective 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. 

Herrera took the tough luck loss despite striking out six and walking none. This marked the Wachula native's sixth appearance with six or more strikeouts this season. Herrera was also the only Polk hitter with multiple hits in the game, finishing 2-for-3.

GAME TWO:

The Hawks plated eight runs on 15 hits and took advantage of three Polk errors in game number two.

The Eagles found themselves at an early deficit after the Hawks plated two runs in the top of the first. Kanetria Antenor had the lone extra base hit for Polk with a double off the center field wall in the bottom of the frame.

HCC grew its lead to 4-0 thanks to a pair of RBI doubles in the top of the third and fourth innings respectively by Marisa Mellone and Rebecca Hazzard.

Polk continued to struggle at the plate with runners on, hitting 1-for-10 as an offensive unit with Eagles on the basepaths. 

Hillsborough opened the game up with four runs on six hits in the top of the sixth inning that grew its lead to 8-0 and set up the run rule victory.

The Eagles look to get in the Suncoast win column and snap a four-game skid at home on Tuesday against State College of Florida-Manatee in another doubleheader. Game times are set for 4 and 6 p.m.