Polk State baseball began the 2020 season by splitting a doubleheader with ASA College (Miami) at Bing Tyus Yard in Winter Haven. The Eagles won the first game 7-0 and dropped the nightcap2-0.
“We threw the ball really well and held them to two runs in 14 innings,” said Head Coach Al Corbeil.
“Pitching is typically ahead of hitting at this time of the year, and it’s really hard to win a doubleheader. I thought they threw the ball very well the second game, but we couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it and you have to capitalize on those opportunities.”
In game one the Eagles broke a scoreless tie with six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Rohsean Riley led off with a walk, took third on Nick Collins’ single, and scored Polk State’s first run of the season on a wild pitch.
Dalton Boyd followed with a double to score Collins, and Drew Howard’s RBI single bought Boyd across the plate with the third run.
Ty Crittenberger then drilled a triple to center field to score Howard, and Crittenberger scored on a single by David DuCote.
After ASA made a pitching change, Jack Duffy greeted the new hurler with a single, advancing DuCote to second.
Chris Johnson then walked to load the bases, Riley drew another walk, and DuCote scored, giving the Eagles a 6-0 advantage.
They added a final run the following inning when Crittenberger singled, took second on DuCote’s single, and scored on a single by Jack Duffy.
Andrew Long (1-0) picked up the win in relief, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out five in three innings.
Starting pitcher Kyle Gamble worked three innings, giving up one hit and recording five strikeouts.
Scott Curran worked a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
DuCote went 3-for-3 with a run, an RBI, a walk, and two stolen bases.
Riley had a 2-for-3 game with a run, an RBI, and two walks.
Howard went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Crittenberger was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a pair of runs.
In game two, ASA took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on a double and a single. The Silver Storm made it 2-0 on a home run in the top of the seventh.
Polk State loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the seventh on singles by George Davis and Crittenberger and a walk by DuCote but could not score.
Starting pitcher Cole Kramer allowed one hit in two innings.
Carter Slentz (0-1) gave up a run on four hits and a walk in two innings.
Jake Curry tossed a scoreless inning, and Jacob Heath yielded a run on two hits in two innings.
The Eagles (1-1) return to action Tuesday against Pasco-Hernando State College at 5 p.m. in Winter Haven.