WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Baseball had perhaps its finest offensive performance of the season on Thursday. The Eagles launched four home runs and pounded 20 hits in an 18-10 run-rule victory over No. 22 State College of Florida.
Marvin Montenegro stole the show for Polk State (17-12, 7-6 Citrus Conference), finishing a triple shy of the cycle. The freshman catcher went 5-for-5 with three doubles, a home run, five RBIs and four runs scored.
"As a team, we've hit well all year," Montenegro said. "We just have to keep it up and we can go really far."
Montenegro doubled home
Bradyn Potter for the game's first run in the opening inning. In the top of the second, State College of Florida went ahead with four runs, including three on a blast to left field from Steele Burd. The deficit for the Eagles, however, was short-lived.
Polk State answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the second. Following a Potter sacrifice fly and a second Montenegro RBI double in as many innings,
Hayden Testerman's two-run single put the Eagles ahead for good.
After a rocky second, Polk State starter
Carson Montsdeoca allowed just two earned runs over the next four innings. He finished with six strikeouts in six innings to earn the victory and tie for the team lead with five wins on the year.
"It's great to be able to give your pitcher support," Montenegro said. "Carson is a different pitcher with the lead."
Offensively, Polk State continued to tack on.
Kustarr Webb's solo shot kickstarted a five-run third for the Eagles. Montenegro capped the inning with a blast of his own – a two-run homer to give Polk State a 10-4 lead.
From there, the contest was never closer than four. Webb belted a second home run, a three-run shot, in the fifth to push the lead to 13-6.
Kevin Brunet added a solo blast of his own in the sixth. Burd homered twice and finished with five RBIs for the Manatees in the loss. Calin Heath also homered for SCF, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs.
Every Polk State batter had at least one hit and six enjoyed multi-hit days.
Zach Lester was the last to record a knock; his RBI single in the eighth inning ended up completing the run-rule victory. The Eagles tied a season-best for runs, homers and hits.
In addition to Montenegro's monster day, Testerman and
Kenay Acevedo each finished with three hits. Testerman and Webb each finished with four RBIs. Acevedo scored three runs. Potter, Webb and Muller each finished the day with two hits and two runs scored.
Originally set for Saturday, the teams will complete the series on Friday with a doubleheader in Bradenton. After starting 3-6 in Citrus Conference play, the Eagles have now won four straight in conference. Polk State can take the season series from SCF for the second year in a row with a win in one of the two games.
"Every win on Thursday has led to a sweep so far," Montenegro added. "To get ahead in the series is super important for our team to keep the momentum going."
