FORT MYERS — Polk State Softball put up a great fight against No. 2 Florida SouthWestern State College on Saturday. In the end, however, the Buccaneers managed to sweep the doubleheader.
Polk State dropped the first game in heartbreaking fashion, 4-3. With Florida SouthWestern down to its last out, Makayla Jakubuwski's delivered the two-run walk-off single.
Prior to that, Polk State never trailed. Makenzie Foster got the Eagles on the board with a two-run home run in the second inning. Up 2-1 in the top of the fifth, Polk State extended its lead to 3-1 on Ciana Vargas' RBI double to score Emma Kaylor. The Buccaneers answered with a run in the bottom of the inning.
In the circle, Polk State got an outstanding start from Hayle Peterson, who allowed two runs, one earned, in 5.1 innings. Layla Hinojosa kept FSW off the board for the final two outs in the sixth inning and the first two in the seventh before Jakubuwski pulled her 2-1 pitch to right field.
Polk State managed just three hits in the loss. Emma-Rose Payette finished 3-for-3 with a run scored for FSW.
The Eagles were again able to take an early lead in the second game. FSW, however, closed with eight unanswered runs in an 8-1 victory.
Polk State's lone run came in the first inning. After a lead-off single by Calonnie Holmes and a sacrifice bunt, Kirsten Aldridge doubled home the game's first run.Â
The lead was short-lived as FSW pushed across three runs in the bottom of the first — all with two outs. That would be all the scoring until the fifth when FSW scored twice. It added three runs in the sixth.
For the second straight game, Polk State (18-28, 10-20 Citrus Conference) finished with just three hits. Stephanie Basso finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
With the defeats, Polk State has lost six straight games. The Eagles will try to get back on track when they visit Seminole State College of Florida on Tuesday.
