GAINESVILLE – A big early hole proved too deep for Polk State Baseball to dig out of Thursday afternoon as the Eagles dropped the series opener with Santa Fe College in eight innings, 15-7.

Santa Fe wasted little time seizing control. Just two batters in, the Saints had a 2-0 lead, thanks to a two-run home run from Wyatt Tesar. Santa Fe scored in each of the first four innings, including three runs in the first and four in the third to take an early 9-2 lead.

After keeping the Saints off the board for the first time in the fifth inning, Polk State took a crack at getting back into it. The Eagles had managed just two hits through five innings, but used RBI singles from Fabian Gavalo, Josh Cruz and Marvin Montenegro to cut the deficit to 9-5.

Polk State (24-17, 11-11 Citrus Conference) would get as close as three. Following a Santa Fe run in the sixth, Jack Muller made it a 10-7 game with a two-run home run in the top of the seventh.

Unfortunately for Polk State, that would be all the offense. Samuel Castillo answered for the Saints with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to extend the lead to 12-7. Santa Fe ended the contest with three runs in the eighth.

All six Polk State pitchers to throw on Thursday were charged with at least one earned run. For Santa Fe, Brady Wright got the win, allowing just two runs, one earned, on two hits in five innings while striking out seven.

Though the Eagles struggled on the mound, they did finish with nine hits at the dish. Montenegro went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Cruz was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Muller plated three runs in the loss while Kustarr Webb scored twice.

Five Santa Fe players had multi-hit contests, led by Ryan Chase's three knocks. Castillo finished with a game-high four RBIs. James Suarez and Shawn Andrade each went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored in the win.

For the second straight week, Polk State will try to take a series by sweeping the Saturday doubleheader. The scene will shift to Bing Tyus Yard this week. First pitches are set for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.