MIAMI — It was a workmanlike effort for the Polk State Baseball pitching staff on Friday. Four hurlers were able to work around 11 hits and four errors as the Eagles held off Miami Dade College, 4-3.
Carson Montsdeoca got the start and allowed just a run in three innings while striking out four.
Dalton Tibbetts followed by allowing two runs, one earned, in 3.1 innings of relief.
Aiden Dolan was able to throw 1.2 scoreless innings but the situation was unenviable as the Eagles went to
Hayden Porter in the bottom of the ninth.
Porter entered with a 4-3 lead, two on and nobody out but promptly struck out Jendy Gonzalez. After a groundout put two runners in scoring position, Porter was able to get Leamsi Montanez to ground out to end the game.
Despite managing only four hits, the Eagles (26-18, 13-12 Citrus Conference) never trailed. Polk State went ahead for good with two runs in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie.
Marvin Montenegro got the rally started with a one-out single. He would come around to score as
Kustarr Webb drew a bases-loaded walk.
Kevin Brunet was hit two pitches later, scoring
Hayden Testerman. Miami Dade scored a run in the bottom of the inning to cap the scoring.
Zach Lester had two of the four Polk State hits and scored a run. Montenegro added an RBI. Willy Mendez and Rene Ramirez Jr. each had three hits and a run scored for the Sharks.
Polk State and Miami Dade will wrap up a critical Citrus Conference series with a doubleheader in Winter Haven on Saturday. By sweeping the doubleheader, Polk State would assure itself a winning season.
