WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - As has been the case for the previous three Citrus Conference series the Polk State Baseball team has played this season, the Eagles had the chance to secure the series win in game two of a Saturday doubleheader. However, the Eagles were unable to close things out Saturday with Miami Dade, splitting the doubleheader with a 4-2 win in game one and a 9-0 loss in game two.
 
Polk (12-14, 3-6 Citrus) has now dropped two out of three in all of its conference series, while Miami Dade (12-11, 5-4 Citrus) secured its second straight conference series win.
 
GAME ONE: Polk State 4, Miami Dade 2
 
After a solo home run by Miami Dade shortstop Carlos Jacome put the Sharks ahead of the Eagles 1-0 in the top of the second, the Eagles answered with three runs plated on four hits in the bottom of the fourth. RBI singles by Greg Pettay and Pierce Glading punctuated the inning for Polk.
 
Evan Koehler got in the win column for the first time in 2024 with an efficient outing. Koehler allowed one earned while walking just one and striking out four of the 21 batters he faced over five innings.
 
JT Long shut the door on the back end of the game for Polk. The Sharks did cross the first earned run of the season conceded by Long in the top of the seventh to trim the Polk lead to 4-2. However, Long got D'Angelo Ortiz to ground out to end the game and earn his fourth save of the season.
 
GAME TWO: Miami Dade 9, Polk State 0
 
The bats fell silent for the Eagles, who were outhit in the game by MDC 13-3.
 
Miami Dade staggered its offense over four consecutive innings of scoring from the top of the fourth through seventh frames.
 
Polk State tossed five different pitchers. Jackson Graden was the only one to not allow a run, working a scoreless seventh.
 
In their limited opportunities with runners in scoring position, the Eagles went 1-for-7.
 
Polk looks to bounce back on Tuesday at home against St. John's River State College in a single non-conference game. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.