Noah Harden’s three-run double in the eighth inning snapped a 4-4 tie and lifted Polk County to an 8-4 victory over Hendersonville on Friday in the Western Highlands Conference regular-season finale for both teams in Hendersonville.
Harden drove in five runs to lead the Wolverines, who claimed the eighth conference title in program history during the season.
Trailing early, Polk County (15-9, 10-2) broke through with two runs in the third inning. Gunnar Alm was intentionally walked and scored on a single by Harden. Alex Perry followed with an RBI double to give the Wolverines a 2-1 lead.
Get PolkSports delivered to your inbox
Sign up for our free newsletter →
Hendersonville tied the game 2-2 in the fourth on an RBI single by Will Bolyard that scored JaRon Ward.
The Wolverines regained the lead in the fifth when Harden singled home Matt Jarrett to make it 3-2. Gunnar Alm later scored on a bases-loaded walk to Nate Fagan to extend the lead to 4-2.
Hendersonville answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game 4-4. River Faulkner singled home Aidan Burlett, and JaRon Ward singled home David Castillo.
The game remained tied until the eighth, when Polk County broke through against the Bearcats’ bullpen. Blake Anderson, Jarrett and Alm drew consecutive walks to load the bases, with Alm receiving an intentional walk. Harden then doubled to right field to score all three runners and give the Wolverines a 7-4 lead. Cooper Meyer added an RBI single to score Perry and make it 8-4.
Fagan earned the win in relief, pitching three innings and allowing one hit with two strikeouts. Perry started and pitched five innings.
Harden led Polk County’s offense, going 3-for-3 with a double and five RBI. Perry went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double, Meyer finished 2-for-5 with an RBI, and Fagan added a single and an RBI. Alm reached base five times on four walks and a hit by pitch scored three runs, tying the state career record in the process.
Polk County will open 3A state playoff action on Tuesday at home. The Wolverines’ opponent will be announced Monday, with Draughn currently projected to visit The Bottoms.
