Box Score FORT PIERCE – On a day where the bats never could get going for Polk State Baseball, a miscue in the field swung momentum as Indian River State College pulled away from the Eagles on Thursday, 5-0.
Scoreless through five and a half innings, the Pioneers got the offense they needed with three runs in the sixth. After a single and walk to open the inning, Polk State starting pitcher
Carson Montsdeoca threw away a bunt attempt that allowed two runs to score in the bottom of the sixth.
Andy Schroeder, a former Polk State infielder, followed with an RBI single for Indian River State to extend the lead to 3-0.
The disappointing inning marred an otherwise superb outing by Montsdeoca. In six innings, the sophomore from Fort Meade allowed just three unearned runs on four hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
As good as Montsdeoca was for the Eagles, a pair of hurlers for Indian River were just a bit better on Thursday. Starter Javi Miranda allowed just three hits and three walks in six shutout innings while fanning six. Anthony Linares went the final three innings to preserve the shutout and pick up the save.
Indian River was able to add insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Nico Benestad and Finn Duran each finished 2-for-4 with a run scored for Indian River State. Duran added a seventh-inning RBI single.
For Polk State,
Marvin Montenegro,
Hayden Testerman,
Jack Muller,
Kevin Brunet,
Kenay Acevedo and
Josh Cruz each had hits. Montenegro and Testerman were the only players to reach base twice as each drew walks. Polk State's best scoring chance came in the seventh following consecutive one-out singles from Acevedo and Cruz.
On the mound,
Brad Rhode also did what he could to keep the Eagles (19-14, 8-8 Citrus Conference) in it. Trailing 4-0 in the seventh, Rhode entered with two on and none out and proceeded to strike out the first two batters and retire all three he faced.
The defeat is just Polk State's second shutout loss of the season but the first in conference play and first on the road. The Eagles will try to bounce back when the teams meet on Saturday for a doubleheader at Bing Tyus Yard.
