WINTER HAVEN – As she has been for most of the season, Polk State Softball outfielder Alma Fernandez was a tough out during the month of March.

For her efforts, Fernandez has been named the Eagle of the Month for March 2023. The sophomore was selected by the Polk State Athletics Eagle of the Month Committee.

Fernandez started all 17 games for Polk State during the month of March and batted a team-best .475. Fernandez also led the team during the month in hits (19), runs scored (13), doubles (6), total bases (25), slugging percentage (.625), and on-base percentage (.614).

After batting just .225 last season, Fernandez has enjoyed a breakout year for the Eagles under first-year Head Coach Mark Skapin. The native of Mexico leads the team in many offensive categories this season, including batting average (.436), doubles (11), RBIs (25), walks (17), slugging (.628), and on-base percentage (.549).

Fernandez has played in all 30 games for Polk State this season and has hit in 20 of them, including 11 multi-hit efforts. In the second game of a doubleheader against St. Petersburg College on March 28, Fernandez enjoyed her third three-hit game of the year, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Entering this week, Fernandez ranks second among FCSAA Division I players in on-base percentage and 15th in batting average. One victory away from equaling last season's win total, Fernandez and the Eagles will aim for their first Suncoast Conference wins on Tuesday as they host State College of Florida-Manatee in a doubleheader.