LEESBURG, Fla. (Baseball) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) baseball team played Polk State back-to-back days splitting their meetings. Polk State took game at their home field on Friday afternoon 8-6 while Lake-Sumter took the Saturday game at The HawksNest (score).

Friday, February 10 – Lake-Sumter 6 (2-6), Polk State score 8 (5-5)

The Lakehawks traveled to Winter Haven on Friday afternoon for the first game. Polk State took the lead in the bottom of the first inning taking the lead 2-0.

The Lakehawks took the lead back in the top of the second inning scoring four runs and kept the lead until the bottom of the sixth. Polk State scored one in the sixth, four in the seventh and one in the eighth to secure the win. 

Matt Tinder and Ryan Monghan both went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Dannon Smtih went 1-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Sophomore Jake Dorn was the starting pitching throwing the first six innings, recording eight strikeouts while allowing three runs on three hits. Jackson Raper recorded the loss on the mound allowing three earned runs on one hit and one walk.

Saturday, February 11 – Lake-Sumter 10 (3-6), Polk State 4 (5-6)

The Lakehawks were back at home for the second matchup with Polk State.

Lake-Sumter was the first to score. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, Smith drew a walk putting the Lakehawks up 1-0.

Hunter Looper led off the bottom of the third with a double. Then Chris Palmi reached on an error by the second baseman, allowing Looper to score.

Nate Tinder Came next with a double to right field. With runners in scoring position, Luke Bentley came up with a single to score Palmi and advance N. Tinder to third.

With runners on first and third, Bentley stole second and N. Tinder stole home on the throw. The Lakehawks extended their lead 4-1.

LSSC added three more runs in the fourth. Kendal Spencer led off with a hit-by-pitch and Monaghan came through with a triple to right field.

Looper hit one deep to left field to score Monghan. N. Tinder came up with another double to score Looper giving the Lakehawks a 7-1 lead.

Palmi added another run in the bottom of the sixth after launching a solo homerun to left field.

Lake-Sumter added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. M. Tinder and Smith led off with back-to-back walks.

Levi Anderson laid down a bunt to load the bases for Spencer. Spencer delivered with a sac fly to center to score M. Tinder.

Monaghan and Palmi both drew walks to score Smith.  

Polk State tried to answer back to the Lakehawk offense but it was not enough. The Lakehawk pitching staff and defense held the Eagles offense to just four runs on 10 hits.

The Lakehawks scored 10 runs on 11 hits and nine walks. Monaghan, Looper, and N. Tinder all recorded multiple hits on the day.

Freshman Windham earned the win on the mound with six innings pitched. Windham recorded 11 strikeouts while allowing just two runs on six hits.

Freshman leftie JD Aragort pitched the top of the seventh inning and recorded three strikeouts on the first outing of his career.

Up next for the Lakehawks

Lakehawk baseball will be travel to Sanford, Fla. for a single game against Seminole State College on Monday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m.

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