WINTER HAVEN – With two wins on Saturday against Hillsborough College, Polk State Softball would post consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since 2014 and 2015.
Before the first game begins at noon on Saturday, the Eagles will recognize the group that was part of both of those seasons – the sophomores. A total of eight players will be honored as Polk State celebrates its annual Sophomore Day.
"This has been a resilient group," Head Coach Kevin Lewis said. "These girls work hard. They saw what the sophomores accomplished last year, and they wanted that for themselves this year."
Over her two seasons on campus,
Savanah Ford has seen her role increase. After playing just 16 games as a freshman, Ford has seen time in 25 games this season. Over her two years, Polk State has defeated 11 nationally ranked teams.
"I'm proud of the accomplishments and setting the standard for the program to work its way up," Ford said. "We were the underdog for a long time and have proved a lot of people wrong. We're a competitive group and our desire to win is what pushes us."
A Winter Haven native and a graduate of Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, Ford will graduate next week with her Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management.
"This has been a great experience," Ford concluded. "The coaches push us hard and we've bonded over that and built relationships with one another that will last a lifetime."
A two-way player from Canada,
Rylee Hartnell played in 30 games as a freshman. Unfortunately, injuries have limited her to just nine contests this year, but that hasn't dampened her experience.
"What I'll remember most is the friendships I made and the memories I shared with everyone," Hartnell reflected. "Being so far from home wasn't easy, but my teammates made it so much better. These moments mean a lot to me and are something I'll always carry."
Despite limited appearances this season, Hartnell will conclude her career as a .257 hitter. She made three career appearances in the circle without allowing an earned run.
"What I'm most proud of from my time at Polk State is how much I've grown, both as a player and a person," Hartnell noted. "I learned how to stay strong and keep pushing myself even when things were hard and when faced with challenges."
Over her two seasons at Polk State,
Kaylyn Mitchum has made 35 appearances in the circle. That includes her only career complete game last season at No. 2 Florida SouthWestern State College.
"I'll remember all the moments off the field with my teammates the most," Mitchum said. "We had a lot of fun together."
Mitchum has a career record of 3-2. Prior to this season, she added a riseball to her repertoire. As a result, she's already increased her strikeout total from her freshman year.
"I'm most proud of the growth I've made since I've been here," Mitchum added. "There were times where I questioned if I was good enough, wanted to go home, but I never gave up and stuck it out."
A transfer from South Georgia State College, where she played for former Polk State Head Coach Jeff Ellis,
Grace Adamonis is a two-way player used primarily as a pitcher for Polk State this season. Although she's thrown just 9.2 innings this season, her 3.62 ERA is the best on the team.
"We grew so much as the year went on and this program is going to keep flourishing," Adamonis exclaimed. "I'm proud to have played college softball at two different schools. It's made me the person I am today and helped me grow on and off the field."
Against Mott Community College on March 6, Adamonis picked up her first Polk State win. She tossed 1.1 innings as the Eagles rallied for a 5-4 victory.
"The girls have made this a great experience," Adamonis said. "It's been a great coaching staff to play for. (Assistant Coach Holly Jones) pushes us to the max on the field but would do anything for you off it. I've been surrounded by like-minded people and coaches who can distinguish softball from real life."
A native of Carlisle, Ky. with a population of about 2,000,
Leia Hurst has been a two-year starter for Polk State. As a freshman on Sophomore Day last season, Hurst had the walk-off hit to lift the Eagles past St. Petersburg College in the first game of the doubleheader.
"Coming to Florida has opened my eyes to such," Hurst reflected. "I never thought I'd get out of my little town. I've grown so much as a person and meeting these girls has changed my life."
After earning second-team All-Citrus Conference honors as a freshman in 2025, Hurst has continued to be a mainstay in the lineup. For the second year in a row, she's among the team leaders in RBIs with 16 for the season.
"I'm proud to have been part of teams that put Polk State back on the map," Hurst added. "We've changed the way people think about our program and it's just starting. Polk State will be a nationally ranked team."
After beginning her collegiate career at Washburn University, an NCAA Division II program in her native Kansas, pitcher
Avery Wende will spend just one season at Polk State. For the year, she has five wins.
"Moving away from home, I've learned to be independent and pushed myself on and off the field," Wende shared. "I've grown a lot as a person and a competitor and have become more confident in myself."
Wende ranks second on the team in wins and innings pitched. Perhaps her finest outing of the season came on March 17 as Wende tossed a complete game, allowing just one earned run on four hits in a 3-2 upset of No. 3 Florida SouthWestern State College.
"(Pitching Coach Brittany Anderson) has been amazing and really helped me to believe in myself," Wende concluded. "(Assistant Coach Tate McClellan) creates a supportive environment and keeps things light. Coach Kevin wants the best for us on and off the field. Coach Holly works us really hard on conditioning and brings a lot of energy."
After batting just .232 as a freshman last season, Fort Lauderdale native
Makenzie Foster has emerged as a key bat in the middle of the Polk State lineup.Â
"I'm proud of my improvement – mentally and physically," Foster said. "Coach Tate and Coach Holly have helped with my mentality and making me the player I've become."
For the year, she's hitting .284 and ranks third on the team with six home runs and 29 RBIs.
A native of New Zealand,
Jamie Glassford came a long way for the opportunity to play college softball. Last season, she was recognized as an FCSAA All-Academic team selection.
"It's been a lifelong dream to play in the U.S.," Glassford explained. "I was one of the first players from my area to play over here. That's shown others back home that they can have the opportunity to do it as well."
A designated player and an infielder, Glassford has appeared in 29 career games for the Eagles. She offered advice for future Polk State players.
"Come in with a positive attitude and an open mind," Glassford urged. "Make sure to be good to your teammates and make the most of this experience."
Parting words
As Polk State's season winds down and the junior college careers of the sophomores. Lewis offered words of advice. The first game of the doubleheader begins at 12 p.m.
"I hope they remember to take care of the little things, set goals for themselves and live for the now," Lewis concluded. "Growth, teamwork, learning to work together, having an open mind and seeing things from other points of view is something we really emphasized here."
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