NICEVILLE – For the third-straight season, Polk State Baseball is one of the eight programs that will vie for the NJCAA Region 8/South Atlantic District Championship. The Eagles are set to head to Niceville this weekend for a best-of-three series against Northwest Florida State College. The winner will earn a spot at the final site in Lakeland.
 
GAMES:

(All times eastern)

FRIDAY 6 P.M. | SATURDAY 3 P.M. | SUNDAY (IF NECCESARY) 2 P.M. | NICEVILLE, Fla.

Polk State College Eagles (32-21) at Northwest Florida State College Raiders (30-16-1)
 
COVERAGE:

LIVE STREAM
 
POLK AT THE PLATE:

• The Eagles' offensive lineup features seven players who have recorded 10 or more extra-base hits this season, including five individuals with 14 or more.
• Sophomore outfielder Nelson Taylor is the only hitter in NJCAA Region 8 DI with more than 15 doubles, five triples, and five home runs. Taylor was also voted first-team All-Suncoast Conference, as well as the Suncoast Defensive Player of the Year.
• As a whole, eight different student-athletes represented Polk Baseball on the All-Suncoast teams.
• The Eagles are also one of the fastest teams in the state, leading Region 8 Division I in triples (24) and ranking fourth in stolen bases (98). Polk has stolen three or more bases in 18 games this season. Taylor leads the state in swiped bags with 28.
• Freshman infielder Roberto Odor has been one of the feel-good stories of the 2023 campaign. Over his last 15 games, the Winter Haven native is hitting .400 (20-50) with 10 runs scored four doubles, eight runs batted in, and has drawn the same number of walks as he has struck out (7).

SOARING STRIKES:

• The Polk State pitching staff has had 66.9% of its innings tossed, 70% of its strikeouts, and 78.1% of its wins notched by true freshmen.
• Leading the youth movement on the mound for the Eagles is right-handed ace Evan Koehler. The Orange City native leads the team and ranks fifth in the state in strikeouts with 85. Koehler has recorded seven or more punchouts in nine of his 12 starts this season.
• Freshman closer Ryan Combs leads the state in saves at 10 and is tied for the team lead in wins with six.
• Sophomore lefty Jaydon Bishop had a 10-inning scoreless streak snapped in his last outing of the regular season vs. State College of Florida-Manatee.
• Eagles' pitching has conceded just six extra-base hits over the last 10 contests.

RAIDERS ROLL CALL:

• After missing the state tournament last season, Northwest Florida State College is back in the dance for the sixth time in the last eight seasons.
• The Raiders are just one of two programs in Florida with a sub-4.00 team earned run average. They and Miami Dade College are tied for the Region 8 lead in ERA at 3.97.
• Former Auburn and Gordon State pitcher Ramsey David has been excellent of late, conceding no more than three earned runs over his last six starts and ranking ninth in the state in strikeouts.
• 48.9% of Northwest Florida's games this season have been decided by three runs or less. The Raiders are 10-12-1 on the season in such contests.
• The duo of freshman Kendrey Maduro and sophomore Blake Cavill hold all the power at the plate for NWFSC, each having belted a team-best 13 home runs on the season. The duo has accounted for 53% of the team's long balls on the year.