WINTER HAVEN – Another splendid regular season for Polk State Baseball has culminated in five players earning All-Citrus Conference honors for 2024.

Three pitchers earned first-team honors. Sophomore starters Aiden Butler and Evan Koehler earned the distinction along with freshman closer JT Long. Long was also named the Citrus Conference Fireman of the Year. Infielder Damion Kenealy and designated hitter Liam O'Neil earned spots on the conference's second team.

Butler and Koehler finished tied for third in the FCSAA with eight wins apiece. Butler posted a sold 3.43 ERA while leading the team in innings pitched (76), and complete games (2) in addition to ranking third in the FCSAA with 81 strikeouts. A first-team All-Conference selection for the second season in a row, Koehler owns a 3.82 ERA in 70.2 innings to go with 61 strikeouts.

Long becomes the second Polk State player in as many years to earn Conference Fireman of the Year honors. Ryan Combs took home the honor in 2023. Long is 4-0 this season with a 1.49 ERA and an FCSAA-leading 10 saves.

Kenealy, a sophomore, has earned second-team honors for the second straight season after leading the Eagles in many offensive categories. Kenealy topped the club in batting average (.353), doubles (16), triples (2), RBIs (45), on-base percentage (.419), and slugging (.536).

O'Neil shined as a freshman for Polk State, batting .289 with a team-leading eight home runs and 31 RBIs. O'Neil had the first multi-home run game of the season for the Eagles on April 4 when he homered twice, including a first-inning grand slam, in a 13-5 win over Eastern Florida State College.

"I'm glad to see our guys recognized by the coaches in our conference for the hard work they put in and the success they had on the field," Head Coach Al Corbeil said. "They have a lot to be proud of."

Polk State is in the FCSAA Tournament for the fourth straight year and 10th time in 14 seasons under Corbeil. The Eagles will travel to Niceville to take on No. 6 Northwest Florida State College for a best-of-three regional beginning on Friday.

All-Citrus Conference First Team

Aiden Butler, P, sophomore, Tallahassee, Fla.
Evan Koehler, P, sophomore, Orange City, Fla.
JT Long, P, freshman, Madeira Beach, Fla.
 

All-Citrus Conference Second Team

Damion Kenealy, IF, sophomore, Pasadena, Md.
Liam O'Neil, DH, freshman, Ponte Verde