Baseball Downed 6-4 at Polk State

Baseball Downed 6-4 at Polk State
February 19, 2021
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Santa Fe baseball jumped in front early at Polk State College, but the Eagles took advantage of a big inning offensively and then held on for the 6-4 victory over the Saints.
 
It didn't take long for the Saints' bats to get going, as SF brought across four runs in the top of the first frame.
 
A two-out single from Nick Herndon accounted for the first run, scoring Jonathan Logsdon who had previously reached on a single of his own. 
 
Later in the inning, Gabriel Esquivel stepped to the plate with the bases jammed, and proceeded to lace a double to score all three and hand SF the 4-0 lead. 
 
Saints' starter Mitchell Gross kept Polk State scoreless in the first four innings, but the Eagles eventually got to him in the fifth.
 
Polk State took advantage of two Santa Fe errors and two passed balls in the inning, which yielded six runs for the Eagles, including a grand slam from Carter Geier. 
 
Santa Fe's offense was unable to bring the Saints back into it in the 6-4 defeat on the road.
 
Gross suffered the loss on the mound, but struck out a career-high eight batters in six innings pitched. The freshman allowed just five hits and two walks, and only one of the Eagles' six runs was earned. Eduardo Yepes threw the final two innings for SF, allowing three hits while earning three K's. 
 
Santa Fe had ten hits in the game, led by Logsdon's three and Esquivel's two, including his three-RBI double. 
 
Wiggs' Words
"We had defensive chances to get out of the big inning, but didn't do it and they made us pay with the grand slam," said Head Coach Johnny Wiggs.
 
"We had some good at-bats throughout the game but couldn't get a big hit after the first inning. Gross threw really well and deserved better."
 
Up Next
Santa Fe (7-6) will host TNXL Academy for the second time this season on Monday, Feb. 22. The first pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.