GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 16 Santa Fe Baseball got the better of Polk State on Wednesday afternoon at the SF Baseball Field, outlasting the Eagles in a 7-6 win.

It was the third time this season that the two sides had met, with the last two being decided by just one run.

Although Polk leads the season series 2-1, the Saints have started trending in the right direction with four consecutive victories.

SF started the game's scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, both of which came via bases loaded hit by pitches.

The Eagles responded to tie the game at 2-2 in the second off Saints' starter Mitchell Gross.

The Saints re-established a lead, 3-2, in their next at-bats when Zeb Marquis led off with a single, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from Tyler Shelnut.

In the bottom of the third, the SF lead extended to 5-2. Hunter Keen led off with a single and was followed by a walloped two-run home run well over the left field wall from Jake McKee.

Polk State trimmed the deficit to one, 5-4, with two tallies in the top of the fifth, then took their first lead 6-5 with two more in the sixth.

In the Saints' next at-bats, the game was tied at 6-6 when SF benefitted from a passed ball.

The final run of the game, what proved to be the game winner, came in the bottom of the seventh when Jevin Relaford laced a two-out RBI single to plate Z. Marquis.

Key Statistics

Gross had a no-decision from the mound, throwing six innings with six runs, three of which were earned. He struck out five Eagles before giving way to Jalen Hudson, who picked up his first collegiate win with three scoreless frames. Hudson was solid with just one hit allowed and two walks while striking out two as well.

Offensively. McKee's home run was the lone extra base hit for the Saints, and the two-run no-doubter was the outfielder's first of the year.

Dylan Mock went 2-of-4, while Z. Marquis led SF with two runs scored and two stolen bases.

Up Next

No. 16 Santa Fe (11-6) will play Hillsborough for the second time this season on Thursday, Feb. 24 at the George M. Steinbrenner Community Field in Tampa, Fla. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.