WINTER HAVEN – One of just four FCSAA programs to win at least 30 games in each of the last four years, Polk State Baseball is unsurprisingly in the mix again for a berth in the FCSAA Tournament. Before the Eagles begin a pivotal series against St. Petersburg College on Thursday, however, 10 players will be recognized for their commitment to the program.

Polk State will celebrate its annual Sophomore Night before the pivotal Citrus Conference contest. A pregame ceremony will be held to honor the sophomores at 4:40 p.m. – 20 minutes before first pitch.

"Like all of our teams, this is hard-working group," Head Coach Al Corbeil said. "They've dealt with plenty of adversity, but they've overcome it and exemplified what it means to be blue collar. As our guys move on to their next schools, we always tell them to take that Polk grit with them."

Growth on the diamond

Of the 10 sophomores, seven are pitchers. That includes last season's FCSAA saves leader and FCSAA Fireman of the Year JT Long. Signed with Dallas Baptist University, Long, now a starter, has led the FCSAA in strikeouts for much of the season.

"I've worked for what I've earned," Long said. "Coach Corbeil recruits a lot of guys who didn't have a ton of offers out of high school. We're a roster full of guys with a chip on our shoulders who want to prove people wrong."

With three weeks left in the season, left-handed starting pitcher Gavin Dicks has nearly doubled his innings output from last season. A dependable Saturday starter and a Jacksonville University signee, Dicks ranks second on the team in wins and strikeouts and third in innings pitched.

"I've gotten stronger, learned a lot about the game, and have become a better person and player," he reflected. "This is a blue-collar program where you have to work hard. They taught me how to become a better person and pitcher. They helped me get to Division I."

While Long and Dicks have produced in their starting roles, Wade Johnson has grown into a dependable arm out of the bullpen. Used primarily as a long reliever last season, Johnson moved into the closer role in 2025 and has responded. The right-hander from Oldsmar currently leads the FCSAA with six saves.

"Coming into the season, I didn't know what my role was going to be," said Johnson, whose brother Brian played on Polk State's 2012 FCSAA championship team. "When I came here, I knew it was a blue-collar program and I knew I would have to work hard, but I didn't fully know what that was going to entail. Corbs and (Pitching Coach Alec) Asher showed me early on what that meant. We work in ways other teams don't. They're brutally honest with you. They had faith and confidence in me, and I've learned how to be successful."

After throwing just 17 innings as a freshman in 2024, 6-foot-5 right-hander Zane Wright has seen his role grow as a sophomore. With already 30 innings and 18 appearances, Wright was given his first Citrus Conference start last week at Eastern Florida State College. Since March 8, he has a solid 3.27 ERA in 11 innings.

"This has been the best two years of my life from a developmental standpoint," the Plant City native said. "From coming here as a walk-on to being a dependable guy out of the bullpen, I won't take these two years for granted. When you put on a Polk State uniform, greatness is expected out of you. You have to do your part. This has been an amazing experience."

Last season, Jake Echols threw just 16.1 innings and had the worst ERA on the team. This season's opening day starter, Echols has a respectable 4.06 ERA – the best among Polk State weekend starters – and leads the team with 51 innings pitched.

"I came here as a thrower – not a pitcher," Echols noted. "I threw the ball hard, but I didn't really know how to pitch. This program makes you work. You'll work harder here than anywhere else. Programs like Polk's are the reason that Major League Baseball teams and four-year colleges love junior college players."

As a freshman last season, outfielder Jordan Thomas entered the month of April hitting just .198. Thomas finished the year by recording multiple hits in six of his final 11 games and raised his batting average by 79 points. He's carried that momentum into 2025 and leads the Eagles with a .343 average.

"Being at Polk, you work hard every day," Thomas noted. "Falling in love with that process allows you to improve. I'm proud of the adjustments I've made. To struggle early, battle through that, and eventually have success means everything."

Catcher Simon Scharff is the lone second-year player who didn't play for Polk State last season who will be honored on Thursday. Though technically a redshirt freshman, Scharff has served as Polk State's everyday catcher after spending last season at Eckerd College. A graduate of Lake Wales High School, both of Scharff's parents are Polk State graduates. His mother Joanne Scharff is a Professor of Education at Polk State. His grandmother, County Commissioner Martha Santiago, was a longtime provost at the College.

"I was looking for a place to develop and get back to a four-year school," Scharff explained. "I've known Coach Corbeil since I was in high school. He gave me a shot. Junior college provides such a great opportunity to play early. I've learned a lot about how to play the game."

Coaching impact

Over their two years, Polk State sophomores had the opportunity to play for a coaching legend in the junior college ranks. The program's all-time wins leader, Corbeil guided Polk State to its best season ever in 2012. A six-time Conference Coach of the Year, Corbeil picked up his 500th career win on Saturday in the Eagles' 9-6 victory over Eastern Florida State College.

"Corbs knew what I needed to work on," Thomas added. "He demands the best out of you. The work you put in from the first day you arrive sustains you until the end of the season."

For designated hitter and first baseman Liam O'Neil, injuries have unfortunately been too common over his two years at Polk State. Despite that, O'Neil led the Eagles with eight home runs last season en route to earning All-Citrus Conference honors. He is leading the team again with six homers this year.

"We love playing for these coaches and that's why we persevere to get healthy," he said. "It's a special place with special coaches and it attracts a special type of player. Wearing the Polk 'P' is a badge of honor.

"I think this is the best environment I'll ever be a part of," O'Neil said. "When I got here for my first fall, I wasn't hitting. A lot of coaches would have cut me. Coach Corbeil worked with me every day to get better. He's still working with me."

Pitcher Jackson Graden has gone without allowing an earned run in seven of his last nine appearances. He has just a 2.74 ERA going back to Feb. 18.

"Under Coach Corbeil, I've really matured," Graden added. "Coach Corbeil's mentality has really made its way into my mentality. You show up every day and you punch the clock."

The coaching staff for Polk State includes an accomplished group of assistant coaches. Alec Asher works with the pitchers. A former All-American and FCSAA Pitcher of the Year at Polk State, Asher spent four seasons in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and Milwaukee Brewers.

"Corbeil, being the coach he is, he gives it to you straight," Wright said. "He brings out the best in you. You have to compete every day to be your best self. Coach Asher helped with that as well. They deserve a lot of credit for my success."

Following an injury-riddled freshman year that limited him to less than 16 innings, lefty Aiden Alvarez leads Polk State with 21 appearances this season out of the bullpen. He leads Polk State relievers and is tied for second on the team with three wins.

"As a player and a student, I've matured enough to take my own lead," Alvarez explained. "That's thanks to the leadership of Corbs and Asher. The coaches really make connections with the players. They find the tools in you that allow you to compete in the conference, find success, and go on to four-year schools."

"Corbs has gone a great job being honest about what's expected and holding us to that standard," Johnson added. "Asher has helped a lot on the pitching side and with my mechanics. I'm grateful for both of them."

Completing the coaching staff is Ryan Abrams, a former standout at Volunteer Community College and Lipscomb University and Rougie Odor, an NAIA Rawlings Gold Glove winner at Webber International University.

"I've had a great coaching staff and teammates," Scharff exclaimed. "The coaches do a great job of allowing us to showcase our talents and that's allowed me to work on my craft and move on to Lipscomb. I thank my coaches and my teammates for allowing me to compete and be part of a group of guys who make baseball fun."

Reflections

Polk State has a time-tested tradition of helping players move on to the next level. With recent commitments of Wright and Alvarez to the University of West Georgia, nine of the 10 sophomores have already selected four-year schools. When players look back on their time as part of the Polk State program, however, it was about more than just baseball.

"I've learned so much on and off the field," Thomas said. "Spending time with these guys on a daily basis, you grow a strong bond. I've grown so much as a person and a player."

"JUCO baseball in general, and especially at Polk State, is not always glamorous," Long opined. "Someone is always competing with you – whether that's opponents, teammates for a certain role, or an opportunity at a four-year school. This has been such a gift to me. I'm blessed to have had this opportunity."

While less than three weeks remain in the regular season, Polk State is trying to prolong its season. The Eagles are currently tied for sixth in the Citrus Conference. The top five teams advance to FCSAA regional sites. The sixth-place finisher in the Citrus takes on the third-place team in the Panhandle Conference for the eighth and final regional spot.

"I'm sad that this is eventually going to come to an end," Echols concluded. "I'll remember all of our moments outside of baseball. This is one of the tighter teams I've been a part of. One of the most important things you'll ever have here is each other."

"I'll remember my teammates but the opponents that I got to talk to, also," Alvarez noted. "We had a special bond as teammates and JUCO baseball players."

"My confidence has grown," Graden said. "Coming from high school, a lot of us were on our own for the first time here. I've grown into myself more as a person and a player. I've made lifelong friends and connections over my two years here."