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Box Score 2 WINTER HAVEN — Playing largely against NCAA Division II competition, Polk State Softball was on the wrong side of a doubleheader sweep. The Eagles came up empty against University of Bridgeport JV on Sunday afternoon.
After nearly making an incredible comeback in the first game — a 4-3 loss — Polk State (6-4) was handled in the second, 9-2. Prior to Sunday, Polk State had not been held to fewer than five runs in any game.
Entering the bottom of the seventh in the opener, Polk State was on the short end of a 4-0 score and had been no-hit by Bridgeport's Kaite Burawski. The Eagles pushed across three runs and put the winning run in scoring position before the first out was recorded.
Gianna Scopano broke up the no-hitter with a single.
Natalie Hiles and
Veronica Fernandez followed with singles as the first Polk State run came across. An error and a passed ball brought Hiles and Fernandez home and put runners at second and third with nobody out.
Burawski settled in and struck out
Donnea Allen,
Rylee Christmas, and
Nayeli Hernandez — all swinging — to end the game.
For five innings, pitcher
Ray Hansen kept Bridgeport off the scoreboard.
Angela Oros' two-run home run broke the scoreless tie in the top of the sixth as the Purple Knights went ahead for good. Oros added an RBI single an inning later as Bridgeport pushed its lead to 4-0.
Bridgeport wasted no time seizing control in the second game, opening with a four-run first. Isabella Benjamin highlighted the frame with a two-run homer.
Oros added another homer, finishing 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs in the second game. Benjamin also finished with three RBIs.
Polk State broke up the shutout with two runs in the fifth.
Kagan Dudney added an RBI single in the inning. After going hitless with four strikeouts in the first game, Hernandez finished 3-for-4 in the second game.
The losses end a four-game winning streak for the Eagles. Polk State will open Citrus Conference play on Tuesday against Miami Dade College. Game times are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
