AUBURNDALE – The season is just one day old, but Polk State Baseball has already showcased its resiliency.

After a disappointing loss to St. Petersburg College to open the Florida JUCO Early Bird Kickoff on Friday, Polk State bounced back in a big way. The Eagles used the long ball and a hot start to down Chipola College in a seven-inning contest, 9-5.

Victory No. 1

With three homers, Polk State pushed across four runs in the first inning. Solo blasts by Greg Pettay, a lead-off shot, and Jordan Thomas served as the first hit of each's Polk State career. In between, Aaron Stelogeannis lifted a two-run blast.

The home runs, however, didn't stop there. After singling and scoring in the first inning, Aris Rivera extended the lead to 5-0 with a solo bomb in the third.

Kelsen Johnson's first Polk State hit was an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth. Johnson came around to score on an RBI single from Pettay later in the inning. Roberto Odor and Damion Kenealy drew back-to-back bases-loaded walks to cap a four-run fourth and the scoring for the Eagles.

On the mound, sophomore right-hander Aiden Butler dominated in his season debut. In four shutout innings, Butler allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out seven to pick up Polk State's first win of the year.

Chipola, however, was able to make things interesting against the Polk State bullpen. After scoring four runs in the sixth, the Indians added another in the seventh and brought the tying run to the plate with two outs. JT Long shut the door by striking out Edian Espinal to end the contest.

Pettay finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Rivera had a pair of hits and two runs scored. Johnson also had two hits in the win. Sam Parker finished with two doubles and two runs scored for the Indians in the loss.

St. Pete rallies late

In the opener, Polk State was unable to get the outs when it needed them. The Eagles let a late lead slip away in an 8-6 loss to St. Petersburg College.

After allowing two runs in the bottom of the fifth, Polk State relief pitcher Ryan Combs was able to strand the tying run at third when he got Andrey Martinez to pop out to second. The sixth inning, however, was a different story.

In the bottom of the sixth, RJ Gutierrez's solo blast with one out tied the game for the Titans at six. With two outs, back-to-back RBI singles from Paddy Hebda and Brett Wagner put St. Petersburg ahead for the first time and for good.

As was the case in the nightcap against Chipola, Polk State started strong. The Eagles scored five runs in the top of the first inning.

After three straight walks to start the game, Rivera got the scoring started with a two-run single. Evan Wainman added a two-run double two batters later.

Wainman came around to score on a wild pitch to cap the scoring in the Polk State first. The only other run for Polk State came on a sacrifice fly from Pierce Glading in the third inning to score Rivera.

The Titans were able to chip away with runs in the first, second, and fourth innings of the seven-inning contest. Catcher Carlos Sanchez blasted a solo home run in the second for the Titans as he finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Rivera had two of the three hits for the Eagles, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored and the two aforementioned RBIs.  Despite combining for just one hit, Odor, Wainman, and Stelogeannis each reached base twice.

Evan Koehler got the start on the mound for Polk State, working four innings and allowing three runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Combs yielded five runs in two innings to take the loss. St. Pete's Jose Zayas picked up the win, retiring all nine batters he faced with three strikeouts.

Polk State (1-1) will wrap up the Florida JUCO Early Bird Kickoff on Saturday with games against South Florida State College and Palm Beach State College. Start times are set for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.