Box Score WINTER HAVEN – Freshman arms and early offense was the recipe for success for Polk State Baseball on Tuesday as the Eagles climbed back over .500 with a 10-1 win over Webber International University (B).

Six Polk State pitchers – five freshmen – combined to hold the visiting Warriors to just a single run. After finishing with just two total runs in a doubleheader against Santa Fe last time out, the offense came early for the Eagles (10-9) on Tuesday.
Starting as the designated hitter for Polk State, Aris Rivera finished with six RBIs and three runs scored to power the attack. Rivera drove in runs in each of the first three innings to set the tone for the Eagles.

Rivera got the scoring started with an RBI double in the bottom of the first that scored Damion Kenealy. After Rivera came around to score on an RBI single from Liam O'Neil, Roberto Odor capped a three-run first by drawing a bases-loaded walk.
The Eagles batted around in the first inning before scoring two runs in each of the next two innings. In the second, Rivera drove in Greg Pettay with an RBI single before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Jordan Thomas.

In the third, Rivera plated two more with his second double of the day to score Odor and Luis Turmero. A nice relay from the outfield gunned down a potential third run for the Eagles at the plate.

While Rivera stole the show at the plate, the pitching performance was more of a group effort. Gavin Dicks, the Polk State starter, allowed just a run in the third while going three innings and striking out six. Brock Rose, Zane Wright, Jake Echols, Aiden Alvarez, and Kenealy combined to toss six shutout innings out of the bullpen.  

After being held without a run for four innings, Polk State put the exclamation point on Tuesday's victory with three runs in the eighth. Rivera capped his monster day at the plate by bouncing a two-run single over second base before scoring on a wild pitch. Kenealy finished with three hits and two runs scored in addition to working a scoreless ninth.

Tuesday's effort continues a trend of stellar pitching for Polk State. Since a slow start, the Eagles have held seven of their last 14 opponents to three runs or fewer.

Back over .500 overall for the year, Polk State will try to even its Citrus Conference record on Thursday when it plays host to State College of Florida. The Manatees took six of the eight meetings between the schools last year. Start time is slated for 6 p.m.