Posted: Apr 03, 2021
FORT MYERS, Fla.- The #13 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers opened the second half of Suncoast Conference play with a win Saturday afternoon at City of Palms Park in Downtown Fort Myers, defeating the visiting Polk State Eagles 8-5 in a key matchup of the league's top two teams.
Polk came out firing, scoring a run in the 1st and another in the 2nd to take an early 2-0 lead.
Their momentum was neutralized in the bottom of the 2nd when Christian Lucio and Kendry Noriega ripped singles to set the table for Abimelec Ortiz who crushes a 1-2 pitch deep and out to right for a three run home run to give the Bucs the lead 3-2.
The Eagles tried to answer in the 4th, loading the bases with nobody out, but FSW starter Alex Ayala got a strikeout, a shallow pop out to right, and a fly ball on the infield to wiggle out of the jam and keep the Bucs in front 3-2.
The Bucs added to their lead in the bottom of the 4th as Jordan Campbell drove home a run with a fielder's choice and Yadiel Santana came through with a two out single up the middle to plate another to put FSW in front 5-2 after four.
Bucs reliever Riley Skeen kept the score right there with scoreless frames in the 5th and 6th and FSW went to the 7th continuing to lead it 5-2.
A two out RBI triple for the Eagles got Polk back to within two in the 8th, but the Bucs answered right back with three in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Santana and Jared Campbell to stretched their lead to 8-3.
Polk made it interesting in the 9th, scoring two and bringing the tying run to the on deck circle, but FSW closer Antonio Knowles slammed the door from there, retiring the final three hitters he faced including a strikeout to end it and give the Bucs an 8-5 win.
Santana had a big game with the bat, finishing 3-5 with a triple and a pair of RBIs while Ortiz was 2-4 with a homer and three RBIs for FSW. Skeen earned the win on the mound, going two scoreless frames to improve to 3-2 on the year. Knowles picked up his NJCAA leading 10th save of the season to close it out.
The win is a big one for the Bucs who give themselves a three game lead over the Eagles in the conference standings and remain two games in front of State College of Florida with a 32-10 overall and 13-3 Suncoast Conference record. The FSW victory ends a nine game win streak for Polk who drops to 26-15 overall and 10-6 in conference play with the loss.
The Bucs and Eagles will continue the series on Monday in Winter Haven with first pitch slated for 6 PM at Bing Tyus Yard.
