Box Score ST. PETERSBURG – Polk State Softball finds itself on a season-long four-game winning streak after sweeping Thursday's doubleheader at St. Petersburg College.
Polk State used a big second inning to take the first game, 5-3.
After the teams traded runs in the first, the Eagles went ahead to stay with four runs in the second inning. Following a
Thea Williams double that scored
Makenzie Foster,
Emma Kaylor unleashed yet again. Kaylor homered for the third straight game, going deep to left for a three-run shot that gave Polk State an early 5-1 lead.
That's all
Hayle Peterson would need. In the circle, Peterson came through with a quality start, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out four in six strong innings.
Layla Hinojosa worked a 1-2-3 seventh to collect the save.
Williams and
Ciana Vargas each finished with two hits for Polk State in the win. Jensen Nelson went 2-for-3 with two runs scored for the Saints. Johalis Colon Rivera capped the scoring for St. Petersburgh with a two-run double in the fifth.
Avery Wende was the story of game two. The sophomore pitcher tossed a five-hit shutout in a 2-0 Polk State victory.
Wende pitched to contact over her seven innings. She didn't yield a walk and finished with just one strikeout. Ashe Montana had two of those hits for St. Petersburg.
For St. Petersburg, pitcher Addison Lamb was also stellar. In a complete game, she allowed seven hits while fanning nine. The Eagles, however, were able to take advantage of defensive miscues for a pair of unearned runs.
In the first inning,
Calonnie Holmes led off with a single and stole second before scoring on an error. In the sixth inning, Foster scored on an error after tripling with two outs.
In the bottom of the seventh, St. Petersburg was able to put the tying run on base after consecutive one-out singles. Wende was then able to get Brooke Bonalewicz to line into a double play to end the threat and the game.
After opening April with its second Citrus Conference road sweep of the year, Polk State will return home for a doubleheader against Miami Dade College on Tuesday. Start times are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
