WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Softball put together a pair of dynamic team performances on Thursday afternoon. The Eagles run-ruled the Hocking College Hawks twice, sweeping both games of a doubleheader by scores of 8-0.
GAME ONE:
Polk State (10-9) needed just five innings to down the Hawks (4-4) in the first game. The Eagles took advantage of numerous Hocking miscues and put the game out of reach with five runs in the fourth inning.
The lead was just 3-0 through three innings, but after Suheily Mercado scored on a wild pitch, Alma Fernandez doubled home Chelsi Rae' Herbert. Alexis Thomas delivered the big blow with a two-run double. Thomas would score on a hard-hit single to right by Baileigh Herrera to cap the scoring.
Seven of Polk State's eight runs in the contest were unearned. Herbert scored the game's first run on a throwing error in the first. The Eagles added two runs in the third. After Fernandez scored on another throwing error, Herrera's sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Kailey Guethle to push the lead to 3-0 .
From the circle, Guethle was dominant, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out four. Guethle, Hebert, and Fernandez each scored twice in the victory. Four of Polk State's eight hits went for doubles.
GAME TWO:Â
The Eagles were propelled to victory in the circle by a stellar effort from sophomore left-handed pitcher Kyra Ward. After the Eagles conceded a leadoff error to the first Hocking hitter of the game, Ward proceeded to retire nine straight Hawks, with seven of those outs recorded via strikeout.
Offensively, Polk took advantage of command issues early on by Hocking starter Andee Lester, who issued back-to-back walks in the bottom of the first that helped the Eagles take an early 2-0 advantage.
An RBI single in the bottom of the second by Fernandez scored Kanetria Antenor and grew the Polk lead to 3-0. Another bases-loaded walk and in infield RBI single by Hebert with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third grew the Polk advantage to 5-0.
The Eagles were able to close out the game in the bottom of the fifth with three different individuals recording RBI base hits. The game was ended when Fernandez crushed a ball into the right-center gap that scored Hebert and made it 8-0.
Fernandez finished the game 2-for-2 with two runs batted in and two walks, capping a four-hit day. Hebert also had two RBIs, going 2-for-4 at the plate.
Ward earned the complete game shutout to improve to 4-3 on the season. She finished with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts logged.Â
The Eagles head to Melbourne on Tuesday for a rematch with Eastern Florida State College. Doubleheader game times are scheduled for 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
The Eagles head to Melbourne next Tuesday for a rematch with the Eastern Florida State Titans. Doubleheader game times are scheduled for 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
