Box Score MELBOURNE — After erasing an eight-run deficit to win on Tuesday night, Polk State Baseball rallied for four runs down to draw even on Thursday night. In the end, a three-run eighth was the difference as Eastern Florida State College pulled out a 7-4 victory.
With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth, Gustavo Mendez rolled an RBI single up the middle off Polk State closer
Wade Johnson to put Eastern Florida ahead for good. Jeff Davis provided some insurance with a two-run home run two batters later.
Polk State (22-20, 11-11 Citrus Conference) trailed 4-0 after four innings. The Eagles got on the board in the fifth on a two-run home run by
Zach Lester.
Polk State drew even with two runs in the seventh.
Josh Cruz and
Derek Fermaint opened the inning with back-to-back doubles to cut the lead to 4-3.
Jordan Thomas followed with the game-tying single.
A pair of early Polk State errors allowed Eastern Florida to score a pair of unearned runs against starter
Zane Wright, who also allowed two earned runs. Out of the bullpen, the Eagles got three shutout innings from
Jason Sawyer and two from
Roman Corinti.
At the plate, Thomas and
Hayden Testerman each finished with two hits at the top of the Polk State order. Kevin Smith, Mendez, and Davis each drove in two runs for the Titans.
After a 9-3 start, Polk State has now lost eight of its last 10 Citrus Conference games. The Eagles and Eastern Florida will conclude their season series on Saturday with a doubleheader in Winter Haven.
