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Box Score 2 DAYTONA BEACH — After winning its first four Citrus Conference series, Polk State Baseball has now lost its last two. The Eagles, however, avoided the doubleheader and series sweep on Saturday with a split at Daytona State College.
Polk State was held to just a run in the first game — a seven-inning affair — but busted out the big bats in the second. The Eagles finished with 17 hits in a 13-5 seven-inning run-rule victory.
Andre Mason's two-run home run highlighted the frame as Polk State went ahead for good during a three-run second inning. The Eagles scored in each of the first three innings to race to a 6-2 lead.Â
Daytona State climbed to within a run before the Eagles created some breathing room with two runs in the sixth. Polk State turned the contest into a rout with five runs in the seventh.
The Eagles got contributions all throughout the lineup, especially toward the top. Lead-off man
Jordan Thomas went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Josh Cruz and
Zach Lester each finished with three hits and combined for five runs scored.
Mason and
Liam O'Neil each finished with two hits and two runs. Mason and
Mason Mojica each finished with three RBIs. On the mound,
Zane Wright allowed just a run over the final 4.1 innings to pick up the win.
The offensive outburst was a welcome sight after Polk State opened the day with a 2-1 walk-off loss.
Chase Wilson singled home the winning run for the Falcons off
Wade Johnson in the bottom of the seventh. A solo home run from
Kevin Brunet in the fourth accounted for all the offense for Polk State (21-15, 11-7 Citrus Conference).
Thomas had three of the eight Polk State hits. O'Neil and Brunet each had two hits in the loss.
Jake Echols had a solid outing on the mound for Polk State, allowing just an unearned run on four hits. He walked one and struck out four.
Polk State will return home for a Tuesday night tilt against University of Tampa (B). The contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Eagles have won three straight non-conference games.
