Box Score WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Baseball struggled to get outs early, but ultimately settled in to run away from South Florida State College on Tuesday night, 12-6.
In a contest that featured a lot of early offense, Polk State (31-19) went ahead for good with three runs in the third inning to break a 6-6 tie.
Roberto Odor put the Eagles in front to stay with a two-run single to the left side before coming around to score on
Aaron Stelogeannis' RBI single.
Greg Pettay added to the lead in the sixth with a two-run single to make it 11-6. Pettay would come around to score on an errant pickoff attempt to cap the scoring.
The Eagles took their first lead in the bottom of the second by scoring five runs despite none of the RBIs coming on hits that left the infield. After back-to-back bases-loaded walks to
Luis Turmero and Odor tied the game, Polk State went in front on an high throw to the plate following a chopper off the bat of Stelogeannis.
The Eagles extended their lead when
Damion Kenealy, the FCSAA Player of the Week, reached on an RBI fielder's choice.
Aris Rivera drew another bases-loaded walk to push the advantage to 6-3.
South Florida State, however, continued to find offense. After scoring two runs in the first and one in the second, the Panthers tied the game with three runs in the top of the third, thanks to three RBI singles.
The Polk State bullpen settled in, keeping South Florida State College off the scoreboard over the final six innings.
Gavin Dicks,
Aiden Alvarez,
Jake Echols,
Pierce Glading,
Ryan Combs, and Kenealy combined to allow just three hits over the final six frames. Alvarez struck out the side during a 1-2-3 fifth to earn the win.
Despite the 12 runs, Polk State finished with just seven hits. Odor finished with three runs scored and three RBIs. Pettay and
Nicholas Upperman each scored twice.
With non-conference play in the rear view, the Eagles will begin a stretch of six straight Citrus Conference contests to close the regular season as they celebrate Sophomore Night on Thursday against Seminole State College of Florida. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.
