Box Score WINTER HAVEN — Polk State Baseball took a significant step toward the top of the Citrus Conference standings with an impressive 5-1 victory over Indian River State College on Thursday night.

Aiden Butler was again stellar on the mound for Polk State (24-15, 12-7 Citrus), working 6.2 innings, allowing just a run on eight hits and a walk. Butler struck out five to improve to 7-1 on the year.

Damion Kenealy got the scoring started in the first with a solo home run. After Indian River tied the game in the top of the second, the Eagles went ahead for good with an RBI groundout from Evan Wainman to score Aaron Stelogeannis.

Stelogeannis finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. After reaching on an error with two outs in the fourth, Liam O'Neil made the Pioneers pay with a two-run shot — a team-leading sixth home run of the season.

Polk State capped the scoring in the fifth when Greg Pettay's sacrifice fly brought home Kelsen Johnson. The Eagles' pitching staff did the rest.

Aiden Alvarez ended the seventh with a strikeout. JT Long picked up the save by working two scoreless innings of relief.

Kenealy and O'Neil each finished with two hits in the victory. 

With the victory, Polk State has now won 12 of its last 13 games. The Eagles moved into a three-way tie for second place in the Citrus Conference.

The teams will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday in Fort Pierce. Game times are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.