FORT PIERCE — Polk State Softball fought hard on Tuesday but was unable to take either game of the doubleheader at No. 11 Indian River State College.

Polk State dropped the first game in six innings, 11-3.

The Eagles started strong. In the first inning, Calonnie Holmes led off with a double before scoring on a Kirsten Aldridge's RBI fielder's choice. Aldridge came around the score on Thea Williams' RBI infeld single.

Indian River State got on the board in the third inning with a run. The Eagles answered in the top of the fourth on a Leia Hurst RBI single.

The Pioneers went ahead to stay with six runs in the fifth inning. Jaci Alvey tied the game with the two-run single. McKinzie Smith followed with a two-run double to put Indian River ahead for good. Indian River ended the contest with four runs in the sixth inning.

Three unearned runs were the difference in the second game as Polk State fell, 3-1.

All three runs for the Pioneers came in the second inning. In the circle, Avery Wende was stellar for Polk State (13-19, 5-11 Citrus Conference). She allowed just three unearned runs in six innings on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts.

Polk State finished with eight hits to five for Indian River but couldn't get the timely one. Down 3-0 through six innings, the Eagles loaded the bases with one out in the seventh. Ciana Vargas broke up the shutout with a sacrifice fly to score Williams but Holmes grounded out to end the contest.

Aldridge and Hurst each finished with two hits for Polk State. Alvey and Hezenia Seabrook each had two hits for the Pioneers. In the circle, Emma Eekhoff went the distance and struck out eight for Indian River.

Entering the day, Polk State had won six of eight. The Eagles will try to get back on track on Thursday as they host College of Central Florida in a doubleheader. Game times are set for 2 and 4 p.m.