Softball team splits doubleheader with Polk State

The Eastern Florida State College softball team earned a split with Polk State College Tuesday evening at Titan Softball Complex on the Melbourne campus.

Polk State College won the first game 3-2 but the Titans came back with the 1-0 victory in Game 2.

In Game 1, the Titans took the lead in the second inning as Rachel Lamoureaux singled and would score when Faith Campos got on base to make it 1-0.

Trinity Howard started out strong with three strikeouts in the first two inning but ran into a bit of trouble in the third inning. With two outs, Kailey Guethle hit a two-run double to give Polk State College the lead.

Both teams made several great defensive plays throughout the game. Polk State would add a huge run in the sixth inning as Alexis Thomas doubled and scored on Jill Hudson's RBI single. It looked like they may go up 4-1 in the seventh inning but Trinity Howard, who took over in center field in the seventh, fielded a single and threw a bullet home to throw out Alana Fernandez for the final out of the seventh.

The Titans would cut the lead to 3-2 when Campos singled and scored on Boo Swoyer's single. But the Titans could not tie the game.

In Game 2, Mandy Hedetniemi-Taylor dominated the Eagles, allowing just four hits in a seven-inning shutout with eight strikeouts.

Hedetniemi-Taylor struck out four in a row at one point between the second and third innings and completed her third shutout of the season.

Offensively, the Titans had just five hits but in the third inning Howard reached and stole second base. Sam Clark would drive her in when she hammered a double. It was one of two hits for Clark and the RBI double was the difference in the game.

Eastern Florida State College, who are 12-19 now, will travel to South Florida State College Thursday for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.