WINTER HAVEN — Polk State Baseball now has six wins this season and three have come by run rule. The latest came on Thursday night as the Eagles downed Florida Southern College (B) in seven innings, 14-4.
Polk State (6-3) wasted little time seizing control. A two-run double by
Hayden Testerman and a two-run home run from
Edrick Ayala highlighted a seven-run first.
That's all starting pitcher
Carson Montsdeoca would need. For the third straight start, the Fort Meade native held his opponent scoreless through four innings. In four shutout innings, Montadeoca struck out eight while allowing just two hits and one walk.
Offensively, the Eagles continued to tack on, scoring in each of the first five innings. Following the seven-run first, Polk State scored two runs in each of the next three innings before adding a run in the fifth.
Florida Southern broke up the shutout with a run in the fifth. It scored three runs in the seventh.
As a team, Polk State finished with 16 hits.
Leo Suarez was 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Testerman,
Jack Muller,
Kenay Acevedo,
Kevin Brunet and
Josh Cruz each had two hits.
Five different Polk State players finished with two RBIs. Testerman, Acevedo, Muller and Cruz each scored twice.
Of the four runs allowed by the Eagles, only one was earned. Montsdeoca picked up the win.
Brad Rhode struck out the side during a 1-2-3 sixth.
With the victory, Polk State avoided consecutive losses for the first time this season. The Eagles will hit the road for a doubleheader on Saturday at Lake-Sumter State College.