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Box Score 2 FORT MYERS – Wins weren't easy to come by for Polk State Softball in 2024, but gritty efforts were routine. That was again the case on Saturday as the Eagles were swept by No. 3 Florida SouthWestern State College in a doubleheader to conclude the season.
Polk State dropped a pitchers' duel in the first game, 2-0. In the second, the Buccaneers run-ruled the Eagles in five innings, 11-3.
Starting pitcher
Jamie Reinhardt shined for Polk State in the opener, holding FSW to its lowest run total in three weeks. Reinhardt limited the Buccaneers to two runs, one earned, on five hits while striking out three.
FSW broke the scoreless tie in the third on an RBI bunt single by D'Yani McKinley. The Buccaneers added a run in the fourth on an RBI groundout.
Natalie Hiles had the lone hit for Polk State (11-41, 5-37) against the combination of Lea Chevrier and Esmee Aimes. McKinley finished with two of the five hits for FSW.
In the second game, Polk State drew first blood with a run in the first inning as
Kagan Dudney singled home Reinhardt. Florida SouthWestern, however, responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning with Mia Terito's three-run triple serving as the big blow.
Down 6-1, Reinhardt would single home
Nayeli Hernandez for Polk State in the fourth inning. After the Buccaneers plated two, the Eagles scored their final run of 2024 in the fifth when
Ray Hansen drew a bases-loaded walk to score Dudney. FSW completed the run-rule with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
The Eagles outhit FSW 6-3, but eight walks by starting pitcher
Donnea Allen proved costly for Polk State. Dudney had two of the five hits for Polk State. Hernandez, Reinhardt, and
Gianna Scopano each added hits.
Terito drove in four runs for FSW. McKinley scored three times in the win.
While Florida SouthWestern State focuses on the FCSAA Tournament, the Eagles will look to rebuild for next season under Head Coach Kevin Lewis. In 2025, Lewis' second season, Polk State will aim for its first winning campaign since 2015.
