POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Two Polk State Softball freshmen were recognized for stellar seasons with the release of the All-Citrus Conference Team on Thursday.
Shortstop Nayeli Hernandez was named a first-team All-Citrus performer and versatile utility Jamie Reinhardt received second-team All-Conference honors.
Hernandez played in all 52 games for the Eagles this past season, batting .420 – good for eighth in the FCSAA – with 22 RBIs.
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Hernandez led Polk State in several other categories, including hits (58), runs (42), walks (33), stolen bases (16), triples (3), on-base percentage (.532), and slugging percentage (.529). Hernandez had 17 multi-hit games for Polk State in 2024.
The team’s Swiss army knife, Reinhardt, did just about everything for the Eagles this season. For the year, Reinhardt batted .321 with 16 RBIs. She ranked second on the team in batting average, hits (52), and stolen bases (11). As a pitcher, Reinhardt led Polk State with a 4.76 ERA in a team-high 147 innings pitched while tying for the team lead in wins with five.
“These two young ladies have worked incredibly hard and are incredibly deserving,” first-year Head Coach Kevin Lewis said. “To be honored in what might be the best junior college conference in the nation speaks to the tremendous seasons they’ve had.”
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With a freshman-laden roster and a slew of injuries, Polk State finished 11-41 in 2024. With just two graduating sophomores and a deep recruiting class, the Eagles expect to be a force to be reckoned with in the Citrus Conference in 2025.
All-Citrus Conference First Team
Nayeli Hernandez, IF, freshman, Kissimmee, Fla.
All-Citrus Conference Second Team
Jamie Reinhardt, UTL/P, freshman, Orlando, Fla.
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