Nate Fagan delivered a stellar pitching performance Tuesday, but Polk County’s junior varsity couldn’t produce enough offense in support in a 2-1 loss to Mitchell at The Bottoms.
Fagan dominated on the mound, striking out 11 Mitchell batters while allowing just four hits and one walk in six innings of work. But the Wolverines (0-1) were limited to just one hit of their own against Mitchell pitcher Hudson Buchanan.
Polk County struck first in the opening inning. Matt Jarrett and Aaden Denton drew back-to-back walks to start the frame before, with one out, Simms Harris delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home Jarrett for a 1-0 lead.
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That advantage held until the fourth inning when Mitchell rallied. After consecutive singles put two runners on base, Dalton Jones connected for a one-out triple that scored both runners, giving Mitchell a 2-1 lead that would prove to be the final margin.
Buchanan took control from there, retiring the final 13 Polk County batters in order. He finished with seven strikeouts while walking three and allowing just one hit — a single by Oakley Whiteside, who went 1-for-2 for the Wolverines.
Polk County will next be in action on Tuesday, opening its Mountain Foothills 7 Conference schedule at R-S Central.
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